Jacob Crouch: Stepfather appeals against conviction for murdering baby

A man jailed for murdering his baby stepson in a "brutal" assault is appealing against his conviction and sentence.

Craig Crouch was given a life sentence in August for killing 10-month-old Jacob Crouch and told he must serve a minimum term of 28 years.

Jacob died at his home in Linton in Derbyshire on 30 December 2020.

Crouch's trial heard Jacob was assaulted numerous times in the months leading up to his death.

The prosecution said Jacob could have survived the final, fatal assault had his mother or stepfather called for medical help sooner, but there were already signs of rigor mortis when paramedics arrived.

An examination of Jacob's body showed he had suffered at least 39 fractures of the ribs, with 22 of these occurring in the week of his death.

Crouch, 39, was convicted of murder and three counts of child cruelty.

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

Jacob's mother, Gemma Barton, was cleared of murder, an alternative charge of manslaughter, and two counts of child cruelty.

However, the 33-year-old was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child and one count of child cruelty.

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.

After Crouch and Barton were jailed, their sentences were both considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

This is where any member of the public can ask for someone's crown court sentence to be reviewed if they think it is too low.

However, the Solicitor General concluded that the case could not properly be referred to the Court of Appeal.

Crouch has now filed an application for leave to appeal against both his murder conviction and sentence.

No date for a hearing has been set yet.

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