KETTERING PARENTS ROCKY UZZELL AND KATHERINE PRIGMORE SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC BABY ABUSE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Kettering, a young couple has been sentenced to prison for inflicting severe and life-altering injuries on their five-week-old daughter, Isabelle. The incident, which took place in 2014 at their residence on Sheila Place, has left the infant with permanent disabilities, including blindness, the inability to walk or talk, and a need for feeding through a tube.

Rocky Uzzell, aged 29, and Katherine Prigmore, aged 24, both pleaded guilty last year to charges related to causing or permitting serious physical harm to a child. The court heard that their actions resulted in catastrophic injuries to their daughter, who was only five weeks old at the time. The severity of her condition was such that she required resuscitation after suffering what was described as 'catastrophic' injuries at their home. Medical examinations revealed that she now suffers from epilepsy, severe learning difficulties, and her prognosis indicates she is unlikely to survive beyond early adulthood.

During the court proceedings at Northampton Crown Court, it was disclosed that the couple displayed a shocking lack of concern for their child's wellbeing. In fact, at one point, they reportedly expressed that the injuries might give them an opportunity to go to Nando's, highlighting their apparent indifference to her suffering. The court was also shown evidence of disturbing videos found on Uzzell's phone, which depicted him forcefully winding the distressed baby while Prigmore was heard laughing as she recorded the abuse. Another video showed Uzzell's hands around the child's throat while she was sick, illustrating the brutal nature of the abuse.

Judge Rupert Mayo described Uzzell as 'dangerous' during sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. Uzzell was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison, while Prigmore received a sentence of 28 months. Uzzell also admitted to possessing indecent images of children, for which he received a concurrent six-month sentence for each of the four charges. The court noted that Uzzell's criminal behavior extended beyond the abuse, involving multiple counts of creating indecent images.

Police and child protection authorities confirmed that Isabelle had to be admitted to Kettering General Hospital on March 20, 2014, and had been hospitalized four times prior to her transfer to a hospital in Leicester. Medical reports detailed the extent of her injuries, including two significant brain bleeds, injuries down her spinal column, rib fractures caused by squeezing, and fractured limbs resulting from being yanked. These injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome and other forms of severe abuse.

Detective Constable Spencer Bailey of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit commented on the case, stating that the couple's actions inflicted 'horrific injuries on this vulnerable baby' and that she would require ongoing medical support for the foreseeable future. He condemned the defendants' behavior as 'sickening,' underscoring the brutality of their actions.

Currently, Isabelle is in the process of being adopted outside of Northamptonshire, as authorities continue to ensure her safety and well-being. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Kettering, raising serious concerns about child protection and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable children.