A MOTHER AND HER BOYFRIEND HAVE BEEN JAILED FOR KILLING HER THREE-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
At 23 years old, Nicola Priest was given a 15-year sentence after being found guilty of causing the death of Kaylee-Jayde Priest, whose body was found at her Solihull residence last year.Priest and her former partner Callum Redfern, aged 22 and sentenced to 14 years, were convicted of manslaughter.
The court revealed that the couple lost their temper and carried out a brutal assault, described by the judge as a “severe beating”.
Mr Justice Foxton QC explained that Kaylee-Jayde was put to bed around 19:00 BST, while her parents went to have sex in Priest’s bedroom.
He noted that most children her age resist sleeping and prefer to stay awake and play.
Although there was no direct evidence of the physical abuse, it was established that Kaylee-Jayde vomited multiple times before passing away from her injuries during the night.
Her injuries were so severe that medical experts compared them to impacts from a fast-moving vehicle or a fall from three floors onto concrete.
The mother had contacted emergency services, but evidence showed the girl had died before the call was made.
Medical examinations uncovered previous injuries such as broken ribs, leg fractures, and a fractured sternum.
Priest, from Birmingham’s Edgbaston area, and Redfern, from Dudley, were acquitted of murder.
A text message from Priest to Redfern days before her death revealed threats, with Priest stating she would kill Kaylee-Jayde because she kept leaving the living room or entering the kitchen.
Neighbours nearby reported hearing a loud bang, crying, and a comment from Priest claiming Kaylee-Jayde had fallen off the bed.
In police interviews, Redfern minimised his involvement, claiming the girl’s death did not affect him.
During trial proceedings, both defendants blamed each other; the judge highlighted Redfern’s dominant role in the relationship.
Police indicated that the abusive discipline escalated over time during their relationship, but it remains unclear who delivered the fatal blows.
The child’s mother was also convicted of child cruelty relating to prior injuries, while Redfern was cleared of this charge.
Priest was also sentenced to three years concurrently for child cruelty.
Legally, both must serve two-thirds of their sentences before they are eligible for parole.
