COUPLE JAILED FOR LIFE FOR SUFFOCATING TINY BABY TO DEATH AFTER MONTHS OF NEGLECTION IN HULL
Jonathan Garner, aged 26, was convicted at Sheffield Crown Court of killing his girlfriend's 23-month-old daughter, Mia Gregson, by smothering her at their home in Hull in February 2014.He has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years.
The court heard that Mia was taken to hospital on 13 February 2014 but subsequently died.
The judge, Mr Justice Goss, described the case as a severe instance of child cruelty involving abusive and violent behaviour, noting that Garner was heard regularly shouting at Mia, sometimes threatening her with violence because she was crying.
Neighbours reported that Garner 'bullied, threatened and injured' Mia during their residence together, and that he and Mia's mother had lied about what happened.
While Samantha Gregson, Mia's mother, faced four years in prison for allowing her daughter's death, Garner's sentence reflects the brutality inflicted upon Mia.
The NSPCC highlighted that Mia suffered horrendous abuse and neglect, with Garner's 'brutality cruelly cutting short her life' while her mother failed to act on obvious signs of injury and ongoing risk, despite social services' warnings.
During the trial, neighbours testified hearing Garner shouting and threatening Mia, with police previously called to the house.
Garner was found guilty of her murder, and the court held that he had 'peddled lies' about his actions.
The judge acknowledged that Samantha Gregson had been controlled and abused by Garner but had been a loving mother prior to her relationship with him.
