DARLINGTON DRUG DEALER CRAIG NEILL DENIES INFLICTING CHILD'S HEAD INJURY
Update 17/12/2025: Craig Neill, 26, of Yarm Road in Darlington, was jailed for 13 years with an additional year on extended licence.Judge Jonathan Carroll described Neill as a "dangerous offender" responsible for the "vast majority" of the violence.
It's been told that the child was making progress but would have permanent health problems as a result of the injuries.
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A self-confessed drug dealer has categorically denied inflicting the serious head injury to a child which resulted in part of their skull being removed.
Craig Neill told jurors that he had never hurt the child at any point and said they had suffered one injury while in his care when they fell over.
The 26-year-old and Amy Cave were both charged after the child was left with a significant brain injury requiring surgery after the toddler collapsed in Darlington.
The trial continues, with Neill denying causing the injuries and maintaining that he was not present when certain incidents occurred.
He also admitted dealing drugs and said he is blaming himself for the injuries, not Cave.
Paramedics and police were called to an address in the Branksome area on May 26 following reports of an unresponsive child.
Neill, of Yarm Road, Darlington, pleads not guilty to causing a child to suffer serious physical harm.
————————————————————————————- Update - 06-11-2025 A jury has heard how a toddler could have suffered a fractured skull in a "few angry moments" as the trial of two Darlington people nears a conclusion.
Amy Cave and Craig Neill were both arrested after the toddler collapsed and was taken to hospital, requiring part of their skull to be removed to relieve pressure on the brain.
During the trial at Teesside Crown Court, jurors heard the child was in the sole care of 26-year-old Neill when they fell ill.
The toddler was taken to hospital and had a piece of their skull removed to ease pressure on the brain.
Multiple other injuries were discovered while the child was fighting for their life, including broken wrists, a fractured jaw and bruising to the face and body, which were inflicted in the weeks leading up to the head injury.
Nicholas Lumley KC, representing 20-year-old Cave, addressed the jury with his closing speech after all of the evidence had been heard.
Dealing with the head trauma, he said: “It could easily have happened in a few moments, a few angry moments.
“Actions which were drastically different from whatever may have happened in the few short weeks before the encounter between Amy Cave and Craig Neill.
“Actions which we suggest could not have been foreseen, let alone prevented.
“Whether all of the human failings you have heard mean that both of these two must be condemned as child abusing criminals is a different matter altogether.
—————————————————————————————————— 07/11/2025 A Darlington couple have been convicted after a baby in their care was left with catastrophic injuries, including a severe brain trauma that required part of the child’s skull to be removed for emergency treatment.
Emergency crews were called to an address in the Branksome area on May 26, when a report came in that an infant had stopped breathing.
Paramedics found the baby covered in bruises across their body, face, and neck, with burns to one hand, a broken jaw, and both wrists fractured in multiple places.
Doctors at hospital later confirmed the child had also suffered a fractured skull and a major brain injury, leading to urgent surgery to relieve pressure on the brain.
Amy Cave, aged 20, from Waltham Close, and Craig Neill, aged 26, from Yarm Road, were arrested shortly after the incident.
Both denied harming the child.
Medical specialists concluded the injuries were consistent with repeated blunt-force trauma and could not have been caused accidentally.
The prosecution told the Teesside Crown Court jury that Cave, who had recently begun a relationship with Neill, claimed the baby’s injuries were caused by an accidental fall onto a coffee table.
Jurors also heard that Neill’s history of violence had caused concern among Cave’s relatives before the incident occurred.
When questioned by police, Neill initially denied being present at the home when the child was hurt.
Cave also tried to protect him, telling officers he had not been there—only to later admit she had lied because of her feelings for him.
Phone records showed Neill messaging Cave soon after the event, saying: “Don’t tell them anything about me, Amy… Promise me on [child’s] life you won’t.
I’ll go straight to jail.” During the trial, both defendants were warned by Judge Jonathan Carroll to control their behaviour after several outbursts in court.
Neill’s temper escalated while giving evidence, at one point refusing to answer further questions.
After several days of deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts against both defendants for causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm.
They were remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date.
