Jacob Crouch: Stepfather jailed for life for 'brutal' baby murder

A man who murdered his 10-month-old stepson in a "brutal" assault has been given a life sentence and told he must serve a minimum of 28 years in prison.

Jacob Crouch was assaulted numerous times in the months leading up to his death, before the final fatal attack by Craig Crouch.

Jacob's mother Gemma Barton was cleared of murder but found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child.

The pair were sentenced at Derby Crown Court earlier.

Barton - who was coerced and controlled by Crouch, according to the judge, and had also been treated for breast cancer since being arrested - was given a 10-year prison sentence.

The seven-week trial heard Jacob died alone in his cot on 30 December 2020, having suffered a "living hell" at his home in Linton, Derbyshire.

The prosecution said neither parent had given him the care he "needed or deserved".

Prosecution barrister Mary Prior KC said Jacob had suffered at least 39 fractures of the ribs, with 22 of these occurring in the week of his death.

He also had "significant" bruising, including to his cheeks, ear and left thigh.

She said Jacob was eventually killed by a "brutal blow or blows to his abdomen", which caused a tear to his bowel, and, in turn, peritonitis.

Forensic pathologist Dr Michael Biggs, who gave evidence at the trial, said he would normally expect to see such injuries in car crash victims or those who had suffered a multi-storey fall.

Mr Justice Kerr said Crouch, 39, had caused Jacob "acute physical and mental suffering".

"He was a happy, smiling, bubbly baby who never complained about the horrific treatment he was receiving," the judge said.

"He had to put up with it and he did, often with a smile and laughter in defiance of his tormentor."

He added that Crouch had "not shown any remorse".

Barton, 33, wept in the dock as she was sentenced.

"You either knew or should have known the risk to Jacob from Mr Crouch, and did nothing to protect him from it," said the judge.

"I am sure you knew that Jacob's plight was serious. You failed to take such steps that you reasonably should have been expected to have undertaken.

"The evidence was there to see, but you failed to face up to it."

Barton had met Crouch in September 2019 when she was four months pregnant with Jacob.

The court heard she had previously been assaulted by Jacob's biological father.

Crouch told Barton multiple lies about himself and was described by police as a "fantasist".

"He claimed to be a director at JCB, he claimed to be on six-figure salary, where actually he was driving a forklift truck in the warehouse," said Det Insp Paul Bullock, of Derbyshire Police.

Crouch even told Barton that he met Boris Johnson and was "flying around in the JCB helicopter".

Barton and Crouch became "very close, very quickly", according to the prosecution, calling Jacob "our little boy" only a month after getting together.

Jacob was then born on 17 February 2020, with Crouch named as his father on the birth certificate.

The judge said he had taken into account the fact that Barton had a history of mental health problems, including depression, and this may have made her "more susceptible to manipulation and coercion".

"Mr Crouch did exert such influence and did manipulate you in a manner amounting to what is commonly called coercive and controlling behaviour," said the judge.

"Of that there is ample evidence in many text messages that were read to the jury during the trial."

The trial heard Crouch told Barton in June 2020 to be "more regimental" with her son.

In another text the pair referred to Jacob as the "devil".

In September, when Barton told Crouch she was bathing Jacob, he replied: "3 foot deep, just hot water and some bleach xxxx".

Mrs Prior said Jacob could have survived the final, fatal assault had either defendant called for medical help sooner.

They did call 999, claiming they had found Jacob unresponsive in his cot.

However, there were already signs of rigor mortis when paramedics arrived, suggesting Jacob had been dead for much longer than his parents claimed.

Crouch was also convicted of three counts of child cruelty.

He was jailed for eight years, six years, and one year respectively for these, to be served concurrently to his life sentence.

Barton was found guilty of one count of child cruelty, in addition to causing or allowing the death of a child.

However, she was cleared of two further counts of child cruelty, and of manslaughter, an alternative charge to the murder allegation.

Outside court, Det Insp Bullock said: "While no sentence can bring Jacob back, I hope that today brings the family some closure on what has been a horrific two and a half years.

"I would also like to thank them all for the respectful and dignified manner in which they have conducted themselves throughout the trial.

"My condolences remain with them all."

Andrew Baxter, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Jacob's short life was one of pain and suffering, all the result of these defendants' intolerance of his basic needs and Craig Crouch's inexplicable desire for 'discipline'.

"Both of them completely neglected their legal and moral duty to protect a child in their care. Instead of nurturing Jacob, Crouch murdered him and Barton knew what was happening but did nothing to protect him from harm.

"The fact they behaved in this way towards a child so young makes their conduct all the more horrifying."

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