BARRY WOOD FROM HAWKHURST SENTENCED FOR TRAGIC DEATH OF BABY OLIVIA IN KENT

In a case that has shocked the community of Hawkhurst and the wider Kent area, Barry Wood, aged 33, has been sentenced to four years in prison following the tragic death of his three-month-old daughter, Olivia. The incident occurred in January 2006, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the circumstances leading to her untimely demise.

Barry Wood, who resided at Park Cottages in Hawkhurst, was accused of causing his infant daughter’s death during a moment of apparent frustration and anger. Wood maintained that Olivia’s death was accidental, claiming that she had fallen from his arms and hit her head. However, the medical investigations painted a more complex picture. A pathologist who examined Olivia’s body was unable to definitively determine the cause of death but noted that her injuries suggested trauma inflicted by a third party. Further medical tests uncovered that Olivia had sustained two fractures to her skull and a fractured shin bone in the weeks leading up to her death, indicating ongoing injuries that had not been properly addressed.

At the time of the tragedy, Barry Wood was employed as an assistant shop manager in Maidstone. He was living with Olivia’s mother, Sarah George, in St Benets Way, Tenterden. The night of January 20, 2006, was marked by a distressing sequence of events. Around 4:00 a.m., Olivia woke for a second time, prompting Wood to get up to change and feed her. During the trial, the prosecution, led by Robin Johnson, described how Wood’s girlfriend, Sarah George, was awakened by the sounds of him calling her. When she entered the living room, she found Olivia limp in Wood’s arms, a scene that deeply disturbed her.

Emergency services were promptly called, but despite their efforts, Olivia was pronounced dead at the hospital. The court heard that Wood’s account of the incident was that Olivia had made a mess and was dribbling, and that he had gone to retrieve a tissue. He claimed that during this moment, he lost hold of her, causing her to slip from his grasp and hit her head on the side of a unit. The prosecution argued that the injuries and circumstances suggested a deliberate act, although the exact reasons for Olivia’s injuries might never be fully understood. Mr. Justice Wilkie, presiding over the case, acknowledged Wood’s previously good character but emphasized the inability to ignore the severity of the situation.

In his police interview, Wood admitted to the incident, stating, “She made a bit of a mess and dribbled. I went to get the tissue and as I did so I didn’t have hold of her properly. She slipped out of my arm and smacked her head on the side of the unit.” The court concluded that the injuries inflicted on Olivia were the result of a deliberate act, and although Wood may have regretted his actions, the harm was done. The judge sentenced Barry Wood to four years in prison for manslaughter, recognizing the tragic consequences of a moment of stress and inability to cope with the demands of caring for a newborn.

Prosecutor Robin Johnson remarked that the true reasons behind Olivia’s death might never be fully revealed, but the evidence pointed to a tragic and preventable outcome. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Hawkhurst and serves as a somber reminder of the devastating effects of parental stress and the importance of support for new parents.