ROSS CONLIN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR KILLING DAUGHTER IN FARNBOROUGH

In July 2014, Ross Conlin, a 29-year-old man from Farnborough, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his four-month-old daughter, Kiera Conlin. Conlin was convicted of causing her death through ‘vigorously shaking’ her after smoking cannabis. The court heard that in May of the previous year, Conlin’s care led to Kiera suffering a heart attack and bleeding to the brain.

Conlin was found guilty of murder and three counts of grievous bodily harm with intent. The judge stated that he will serve a minimum of 17 years in prison. It was revealed during the trial that Kiera had endured months of abuse, with doctors treating her for skull fractures and broken ribs, and exhibiting injuries consistent with shaking teardrop injuries.

The jury was told that Kiera’s mother, 26-year-old Kelly Rayner, was not responsible for causing or allowing her daughter’s death, as she was acquitted of such charges.

Conlin was known to use cannabis and cocaine and was facing financial difficulties due to issues at his employment as a debt collector. The court heard that he called emergency services after Kiera stopped breathing, claiming she had been sick.

Kiera’s grandfather, Paul Rayner, expressed his anguish, telling the BBC that he felt ‘physically sick’ upon learning of the evidence against Conlin.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Scott Clarke condemned Conlin’s actions, stating that Kiera ‘was abused and horrendously let down by this man – her father’. He added, ‘Without the abhorrent behaviour of her father, Kiera would still be alive today.’