LEYLAND MOTHER JENNIFER CRICHTON SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR BRUTAL MURDER OF BABY IN LANCASTER
| Red Rose Database
Leyland Child Abuser
In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Leyland and the wider Lancashire area, Jennifer Crichton, aged 35, has been sentenced to a minimum of 21 and a half years in prison after being found guilty of the murder of her seven-month-old daughter, Amelia. The sentencing took place at Preston Crown Court, where the court heard detailed evidence of the tragic events that led to the infant’s death, as well as the disturbing history of the defendant’s prior interactions with social services.
Crichton’s conviction came after a five-week trial that revealed the extent of her cruelty and the devastating injuries inflicted upon her young daughter. The court established that on April 19, 2017, Crichton attacked Amelia, resulting in catastrophic head injuries that ultimately caused her death two days later at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. The court was told that Amelia, who was born prematurely at just 24 weeks and had spent six months in intensive care, was a fragile and vulnerable child, relying heavily on her mother’s care.
At the time of the attack, Crichton was under a social services care plan managed by Lancashire County Council and a local social care provider. Despite this oversight, she was left alone with her daughter during a visit from a social worker. During this visit, Crichton refused to take responsibility for feeding Amelia, instead choosing to go outside for a cigarette. The social worker left after a brief visit, but approximately an hour and twenty minutes later, Crichton called emergency services, claiming her daughter had stopped breathing.
Medical investigations revealed that Amelia had suffered severe injuries, including bleeding to the brain, damage to her brain stem, and a complex fracture to the right side of her skull. Experts testified that the injuries were consistent with a violent strike or a forceful blow to the head, likely inflicted by Crichton herself. The evidence also indicated that Amelia had been shaken vigorously, causing additional brain injuries. A post-mortem confirmed that her death was due to head trauma.
During the trial, the court heard that Crichton had previously been involved in a serious incident before Amelia’s birth, which had also raised concerns about her capacity to care for children. Despite her history, she was not charged until after the fatal attack on her daughter. The court was told that Crichton showed no remorse during her sentencing, maintaining a detached demeanor as the judge, Mr. Justice Holgate, described her as “self-centred, deceitful, manipulative and lacking in any real remorse.”
Prosecutor Brett Gerrity emphasized the tragic vulnerability of Amelia, describing her as “a small, defenceless baby who suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of her mother, who should have been caring for her and ensuring her safety.” Gerrity also noted that Crichton initially denied any responsibility for her daughter’s death, even attempting to blame an innocent person. It was only after four weeks into the trial that she pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but the prosecution did not accept this plea, asserting that the injuries were deliberately inflicted, leading to her conviction for murder.
Outside the court, Amelia’s grandmother, Sally Quested, expressed her grief and anger, stating, “Amelia fought really hard for life only for her mother to take it away from her.” The case has left a lasting scar on the community, highlighting the tragic consequences of neglect and violence against the most vulnerable members of society. Jennifer Crichton now faces a lengthy prison term, with the judge set to determine her minimum term after reviewing a psychiatric report, ensuring that justice is served for the innocent life lost in Leyland and Lancashire.
Crichton’s conviction came after a five-week trial that revealed the extent of her cruelty and the devastating injuries inflicted upon her young daughter. The court established that on April 19, 2017, Crichton attacked Amelia, resulting in catastrophic head injuries that ultimately caused her death two days later at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. The court was told that Amelia, who was born prematurely at just 24 weeks and had spent six months in intensive care, was a fragile and vulnerable child, relying heavily on her mother’s care.
At the time of the attack, Crichton was under a social services care plan managed by Lancashire County Council and a local social care provider. Despite this oversight, she was left alone with her daughter during a visit from a social worker. During this visit, Crichton refused to take responsibility for feeding Amelia, instead choosing to go outside for a cigarette. The social worker left after a brief visit, but approximately an hour and twenty minutes later, Crichton called emergency services, claiming her daughter had stopped breathing.
Medical investigations revealed that Amelia had suffered severe injuries, including bleeding to the brain, damage to her brain stem, and a complex fracture to the right side of her skull. Experts testified that the injuries were consistent with a violent strike or a forceful blow to the head, likely inflicted by Crichton herself. The evidence also indicated that Amelia had been shaken vigorously, causing additional brain injuries. A post-mortem confirmed that her death was due to head trauma.
During the trial, the court heard that Crichton had previously been involved in a serious incident before Amelia’s birth, which had also raised concerns about her capacity to care for children. Despite her history, she was not charged until after the fatal attack on her daughter. The court was told that Crichton showed no remorse during her sentencing, maintaining a detached demeanor as the judge, Mr. Justice Holgate, described her as “self-centred, deceitful, manipulative and lacking in any real remorse.”
Prosecutor Brett Gerrity emphasized the tragic vulnerability of Amelia, describing her as “a small, defenceless baby who suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of her mother, who should have been caring for her and ensuring her safety.” Gerrity also noted that Crichton initially denied any responsibility for her daughter’s death, even attempting to blame an innocent person. It was only after four weeks into the trial that she pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but the prosecution did not accept this plea, asserting that the injuries were deliberately inflicted, leading to her conviction for murder.
Outside the court, Amelia’s grandmother, Sally Quested, expressed her grief and anger, stating, “Amelia fought really hard for life only for her mother to take it away from her.” The case has left a lasting scar on the community, highlighting the tragic consequences of neglect and violence against the most vulnerable members of society. Jennifer Crichton now faces a lengthy prison term, with the judge set to determine her minimum term after reviewing a psychiatric report, ensuring that justice is served for the innocent life lost in Leyland and Lancashire.