Judge finally lifts ban on identifying Coventry baby abusers

[dutchman]

A Judge has lifted a ban preventing the identification of two Coventry people convicted of cruelty to a five-month-old baby.



Until now the media was not allowed to name James Laidlaw, aged 22, of Wexford Road, Wood End, or Tiffany Hilton, aged 27, of Windmill Road, Longford.

But just hours after the Coventry Telegraph formally applied to the court for the ban to be lifted, the judge in the case said their details could finally be reported.

Hilton and her then-partner Laidlaw had pleaded not guilty at Warwick Crown Court to causing him grievous bodily harm with intent.

That charge was withdrawn against Hilton following a submission by her barrister Simon Hunka before the jury retired.

But the jury took just two hours and 47 minutes to find Laidlaw guilty of the charge and Hilton guilty of allowing the baby to suffer serious harm by failing to take steps protect him.

They were both also found guilty of a further charge of cruelty to a child by assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting or exposing him to unnecessary suffering between February and May last year and failing to get treatment for him.

Laidlaw, who was remanded into custody, is facing up to 16 years in jail while Hilton, who was bailed, has been told she is “overwhelmingly likely” she will be jailed.

Judge Sylvia de Bertodano adjourned sentencing until late November or early December.

[dutchman]

Case does "not meet criteria" for serious case review

The case will not be subject to a serious case review, the city’s Safeguarding Children Board has revealed.

The board is made up for several organisations including Coventry City Council, health officials and voluntary bodies.

Following the convictions, they said that despite the five-month-old baby suffering around 32 broken bones, it did not “meet the criteria” for a review.

Janet Mokades, the independent chairman of the safeguarding board, said: “The Coventry Safeguarding Children Board has discussed this case. It is certainly a very sad case but it does not meet the criteria for a serious case review.

“There is evidence that partners worked diligently and together as required. However, we can learn from the case.

“Accordingly, compulsory learning events and refresher training for frontline staff have been planned and will be taking place next month.

“These will ensure that the lessons learned are passed on to frontline staff.”

[rebbonk]

Ah, "lessons learned" so that's OK then!