PHILIP SCAMMELL AND JILL MILLS FROM CALMORE AND TOTTEN SENTENCED FOR BRUTALITY AGAINST BABY IN HAMPSHIRE

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community, a father and his partner have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for the severe abuse and neglect of a young child in Hampshire. The incident, which took place in the towns of Calmore and Totton, culminated in the tragic death of 21-month-old Ryan Crossett, whose suffering was described as among the most appalling cases of cruelty ever brought before Southampton Crown Court.

On a somber day in October 1996, Judge Ian MacLean delivered a stern verdict, sentencing Philip Scammell, aged 28 and a resident of Calmore, to the maximum penalty of ten years in prison for his role in the abuse. The judge condemned the social services decision to place Ryan in Scammell’s care as “beggared belief,” highlighting the tragic consequences of such oversight. Scammell’s accomplice, Jill Mills, aged 38 from Totton, was also convicted and received a six-year sentence after admitting to causing grievous bodily harm and cruelty to the child.

The court was informed of the horrifying injuries inflicted upon Ryan. Medical examinations revealed that the toddler had both ankles broken, a fractured skull, and was covered in bite marks and burns. Evidence indicated that Ryan had been held against a boiling radiator and had a key screwed into his neck, acts that underscore the extreme cruelty he endured. Although his death was ultimately attributed to a respiratory illness, post-mortem examinations uncovered the extent of his suffering, revealing that he had been subjected to relentless neglect and brutality.

During the proceedings, Judge MacLean questioned the adequacy of the social services’ oversight, asking whether an unheated, cold house filled with beer bottles was an appropriate environment for a child. The court was told that Ryan’s body was discovered at Mills’ residence on February 18. Prosecutor Nicholas Haggan explained that Ryan’s mother had been involved in a relationship with Scammell in 1993, but they had separated before Ryan’s birth. Unable to cope with the demands of caring for her son, she placed Ryan in the care of social services. Subsequently, Hampshire County Council arranged for Ryan to be placed with his father, Philip Scammell, who lived nearby. Scammell had asked Mills to look after Ryan at her home, a decision that ultimately led to the tragic outcome.

Hampshire Social Services issued a statement indicating that an independent review, conducted at the request of the council, found no single individual or agency to be solely responsible for the tragedy. However, the review did identify a series of shortcomings in communication and procedures, which are now under consideration for improvement. The case has prompted serious questions about child protection protocols and the effectiveness of social services in safeguarding vulnerable children.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge MacLean described the case as the gravest he had encountered, emphasizing the brutal treatment inflicted upon the innocent child. He remarked that Ryan’s death was “a merciful release,” implying that the extent of the abuse might have led to even greater suffering if he had survived. The judge’s words serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of neglect and cruelty, and the importance of vigilance in protecting children from harm.