MARK LACKENBY SHAKES BABY RUBY TO DEATH IN BOLTON-UPON-DEARNE AND GOLTHORPE

In a tragic incident that has shocked the communities of Bolton-upon-Dearne and Goldthorpe, South Yorkshire, a father named Mark Lackenby was sentenced to ten years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm in connection with the death of his five-week-old daughter, Ruby. The heartbreaking case unfolded in February 2011, during a football match that marked a turning point in the tragic events.

According to court records, Lackenby, then 32 years old and residing on High Street in Goldthorpe, had placed a bet of £2.50 on Arsenal to beat Barcelona in their Champions League clash. He predicted a 2-1 victory for Arsenal, with Robin van Persie expected to score the first goal. The odds were 70-1, and he stood to win approximately £200 if his prediction came true. However, the match did not go as he hoped, and when Barcelona’s player David Villa scored the first goal at 8:11 pm, Lackenby’s mood quickly soured.

At that moment, Ruby, who was sitting on the sofa beside him, began to cry. Witnesses and court evidence indicated that Lackenby’s temper flared violently in response to her crying. As the match continued, he lost control and shook his infant daughter with such force that she sustained catastrophic brain injuries. The violent shaking caused brain damage, bleeding on the brain, and internal injuries that were only visible through further medical examinations.

Medical professionals who examined Ruby after she was rushed to the hospital found she had suffered extensive brain damage, including bleeding and swelling. Additionally, they discovered she had three broken ribs, which had been inflicted approximately a week prior to her death. Despite efforts by paramedics and doctors, Ruby was declared brain dead, and her life support was switched off the following day. The injuries she sustained were so severe that she could not be saved.

Pathologists determined that the bleeding on Ruby’s brain had occurred roughly 24 hours before her death. Further internal examinations revealed five small bruises on the back of her skull and one on top, injuries that had not been visible externally but were evident internally. These injuries indicated a pattern of repeated harm, not just a single incident. The court heard that during the time Ruby was injured, her mother, Gemma Coates, was upstairs taking a bath, leaving Lackenby alone with the child.

Throughout the trial at Sheffield Crown Court, Lackenby maintained his innocence, denying any harm to his daughter. However, the evidence presented was compelling enough to convict him of manslaughter. He was acquitted of the more serious charge of murder but found guilty of causing her death through gross negligence. The court also established that he had previously broken Ruby’s ribs, suggesting a pattern of violent behavior.

During sentencing, Judge Mr. Justice Haddon-Cave expressed his profound disapproval of Lackenby’s actions. He described the incident as “frankly despicable” and “beyond belief,” emphasizing the cruelty of harming one’s own child in such circumstances. The judge highlighted that the injuries were not the result of a momentary loss of control but part of a disturbing pattern of temper and violence.

As the court proceedings concluded, the emotional impact was palpable. Lackenby was visibly upset, tears streaming down his face as the judge detailed the tragic events. The case has left a lasting scar on the communities of Bolton-upon-Dearne and Goldthorpe, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked anger and violence towards the most vulnerable.