MOTHER AND NEW BOYFRIEND CONVICTED FOLLOWING DEATH OF YOUNG SON
On 25 April 2022, emergency responders arrived to find Kol Page unconscious, with facial bruising and a severe injury to his abdomen suspected to be from a punch or stomp.His injuries were so grave that pain management was limited for fear of endangering his life.
Kol lived for an additional two years, passing away on 29 June 2024.
Zoe Coutts, his mother, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court for briefly causing or permitting her child's death, while her then-boyfriend Scott O'Connor was found guilty of manslaughter.
Both men were cleared of the more serious charge of murder.
Data from phone records indicated that Kol suffered prolonged abuse over several months in their Bromley home on Downham Way.
The couple had lied about his injuries, claiming they resulted from frequent falls, a story Coutts maintained up to her arrest.
Evidence showed that O'Connor, 36, had been at the property 28 times in the month prior to the incident.
Photographs depicted worsening injuries, such as black eyes and a patch of hair ripped out.
Astonishingly, texts between the couple revealed they made light of hurting Kol and shared images of his wounds.
Coutts sent messages describing Kol as “whinging,” and O'Connor responded with a joke about slapping him back to sleep.
In the critical moments before calling emergency services, their messages focused on hangovers and dinner rather than the child's condition.
According to police, Coutts contacted a friend before dialling for help when she realized Kol was not breathing, an act that doctors believe delayed treatment and contributed to brain damage.
The court will sentence both on 8 May.
