MADISON RICKETTS FROM DEVERUX AND LEDBURY SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, a young woman named Madison Ricketts from Devereux, along with her partner Craig Sayers from Worcester, has been sentenced to a combined total of 15 years in prison for inflicting severe injuries on a 15-month-old child. The incident took place in January 2017 at their residence in Ledbury, Herefordshire, where the couple subjected the innocent toddler to a series of brutal assaults that resulted in multiple injuries.

According to court proceedings, the young girl was brought to the hospital by her mother after she was unable to lift her arm. Medical examinations revealed a series of alarming injuries, including a pulled-out toenail that had been forcibly removed, as well as several fractures in her tiny fingers and arm. The severity of the injuries indicated a sustained pattern of abuse, which left the medical team and authorities deeply concerned.

Both Ricketts-Devereux and Sayers faced charges of causing grievous bodily harm. The case was heard at Hereford Crown Court, where the jury found them guilty of the serious charges. On Wednesday, the court handed down sentences that reflected the gravity of their actions. Craig Sayers, who was residing in Worcester at the time, received a nine-year prison term, while Madison Ricketts-Devereux, of Ledbury, was sentenced to six years behind bars.

During the sentencing, Recorder Martin Jackson addressed the court, emphasizing the culpability of each individual. He stated, “Madison Ricketts-Devereux, you were the only person with the opportunity to cause the damage to the right arm. Craig Sayers, you went into the room and caused injuries to the left arm and toe. This was a vulnerable victim, and there was an element of sustained assault.”

The judge also highlighted aggravating factors, noting that Sayers was on bail for another violent case at the time of the abuse and that trust had been breached, as the child was in their care. The injuries inflicted were particularly heinous, especially considering they occurred within the child's own home. The court dismissed any notion that the defendants' previous good character could mitigate their sentences, emphasizing that they were old enough to understand the consequences of their actions.

While Ricketts-Devereux’s youth and immaturity were acknowledged as mitigating factors, the court made it clear that her actions in causing harm to her own child were inexcusable. The case has left a lasting impact on the local community, raising serious concerns about child safety and the responsibilities of caregivers in Herefordshire.