BETHANY MARSDEN-BERRY

A pair of child abusers received a combined prison sentence of 59 years after inflicting horrific sexual and physical abuse on an infant.

Nathan Walker, aged 27 from Droitwich, and his partner Bethany Marsden-Berry of Dines Green, Worcester, appeared before Worcester Crown Court.

They were found guilty of multiple charges, including causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a child under 13, two counts of cruelty to a person under 13, two counts of sexual assault by penetration of a child under 13, and inflicting grievous bodily harm on a child under 13.

The court was informed that the couple systematically abused the baby over an extended period.

Their actions involved severe violence, resulting in several injuries.

Among the injuries was an anal tear caused by one or both of the defendants inserting a body part or object into the child's rectum.

The nature of the abuse was described as utterly vile and difficult to comprehend, especially considering the victim was a defenseless infant.

Despite sustaining life-threatening injuries, the baby survived.

Bethany Marsden-Berry received a total sentence of 27 years, but because individual sentences were made to run concurrently, her effective imprisonment term was 16 years.

Nathan Walker was sentenced to 32 years, which, under the same concurrent sentencing structure, resulted in a combined term of 25 years.

Both offenders will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 25 years and are required to register as sex offenders for life.

*This case was not reported in the press at the time; the sentencing took place in December 2025.*