NEWHAM COUPLE JEFFREY WILTSHIRE AND ROSALIN BAKER JAILED FOR BABY'S TORTURE AND DEATH IN LONDON

In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Newham, east London, a couple has been sentenced to 11 years in prison each for their involvement in the death of their 16-week-old daughter, Imani. The heartbreaking events unfolded after a series of brutal injuries inflicted upon the infant, which ultimately led to her demise in September of the previous year.

Jeffrey Wiltshire, aged 52, and Rosalin Baker, aged 25, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of causing or allowing the death of their vulnerable child. The court heard that Imani was on the child protection register, indicating prior concerns about her welfare. The couple’s actions, characterized by deception and neglect, culminated in a disturbing cover-up attempt involving a staged scene on a London bus.

Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC delivered a somber sentencing, emphasizing the tragic circumstances surrounding Imani’s brief life. He noted that the baby was born prematurely, and her final days must have been filled with fear, pain, and confusion. The judge criticized the parents for prioritizing their own interests over the safety and well-being of their helpless daughter, stating, “Both of you at all times put your interests before those of a helpless and dependent baby for whom you were responsible.”

Throughout the trial, it was revealed that the couple’s credibility was severely compromised by their numerous lies about what had happened to Imani. The injuries she sustained were described as severe, comparable to those from a car crash or a fall from a first-floor window. Despite the jury’s inability to determine exactly who inflicted the injuries, the judge concluded that whoever was responsible intended to cause serious bodily harm.

One of the most disturbing aspects of the case was the couple’s attempt to disguise the truth. On the morning of September 28, Wiltshire was seen on CCTV footage kissing Baker and giving her a thumbs-up as she boarded a No 25 bus heading to Stratford, east London, with Imani’s lifeless body strapped to her chest in a sling. During the journey, Baker raised the alarm, prompting passengers to perform CPR and call emergency services in a desperate effort to save the infant.

Baker, in her testimony, accused Wiltshire of being violent and under the influence of heroin and cocaine daily. She claimed that Wiltshire had tried to frame her by forcing her onto the bus with their deceased daughter. Wiltshire, who had previously performed as a rapper under the name Pepper Head and claimed to have fathered 25 children, denied any involvement in harming Imani, asserting that he had not witnessed or caused her injuries. He recounted that he had been out the night before her death and returned to find Baker in a bad mood and the baby unwell, with her face covered by a cloth and no apparent noise from her.

Medical evidence presented during the trial indicated that Imani had suffered multiple injuries, including 40 fractured ribs, a broken wrist, and severe head trauma. These injuries were consistent with significant trauma, comparable to a serious fall or car accident. Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC highlighted that Imani was in considerable pain and distress, which would have been evident to any attentive parent.

In the week leading up to her death, Imani was subjected to repeated abuse, with three separate attacks resulting in her injuries. The couple’s attempt to conceal the abuse involved staging her sudden illness on the bus, a plan that ultimately failed as medical professionals determined she had died approximately 24 hours earlier. Detective Chief Inspector Gary Holmes of Scotland Yard described the case as heart-rending, emphasizing the cruelty of the abuse and the deception orchestrated by Wiltshire and Baker.

Both defendants, who relied on benefits, showed little remorse during the trial. Their actions and lies cast doubt on their credibility, and the court’s decision reflects the severity of their neglect and cruelty. The maximum sentence for causing or allowing the death of a child is 14 years, but in this case, the court chose to impose 11-year sentences, underscoring the gravity of their misconduct and the tragic loss of young Imani.