JASMINE GREGORY FROM OXFORD SENTENCED FOR TRAGIC BABY'S DROWNING IN BATH

In a heartbreaking case that unfolded in Oxford, Jasmine Gregory, a 24-year-old mother from Ulfgar Road, was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter in connection with the death of her 14-month-old daughter, Robyn. The incident occurred in August 2014, when Gregory was at her home in Grove, Oxford, and her daughter tragically drowned in a bath.

According to court proceedings, Gregory had been drinking earlier that morning, which contributed to her becoming distracted during the time she was bathing Robyn. The court heard that she left her young child unattended in the bath for approximately ten minutes, a lapse that proved fatal. During the trial at Oxford Crown Court, Judge Ian Pringle described the event as a "tragic and wholly avoidable event," emphasizing how profoundly wrong and atrocious the circumstances were.

It was revealed that Robyn drowned while in the bath, and Gregory was the one who discovered her lifeless body. The emotional toll on the child's father was evident, as he delivered a victim impact statement in which he expressed that "every day is torture" since losing his daughter. The court was also shown that Gregory, upon hearing the verdict, made the sign of the cross before being sentenced and was visibly crying in the courtroom.

Judge Pringle acknowledged the pain Gregory was experiencing but pointed out that she led a "chaotic lifestyle" and should have known better. He stated, "You should have known if you bathe a child in an adult bath you never leave it unattended." The judge’s words underscored the tragic negligence involved in the case.

Detective Constable Andy Matheson of Thames Valley Police commented on the case, saying, "This has been a tragic case from the start. A young mother has lost her young baby, and the extended family has lost the future they would have had with the child."

Senior Crown Prosecutor Kirsty Allman described the outcome as a "just outcome," emphasizing that Gregory’s actions went beyond a mere accident. She stated, "This was not merely a terrible accident. Gregory was clearly negligent in leaving Robyn unattended in the bath," highlighting the serious nature of her negligence and the devastating consequences that followed.