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Jail term for bridge leap mother | Jail term for bridge leap mother |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A woman who plunged 100ft (30m) from the Humber Bridge with her daughter has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting attempted murder. | A woman who plunged 100ft (30m) from the Humber Bridge with her daughter has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting attempted murder. |
Angela Schumann, 28, of Leeds, and her daughter Lorraine Tumalan-Schumann, who was nearly two years old at the time, survived the fall in June last year. | Angela Schumann, 28, of Leeds, and her daughter Lorraine Tumalan-Schumann, who was nearly two years old at the time, survived the fall in June last year. |
They were rescued after police were alerted to an empty pushchair and a child's shoe on the bridge. | They were rescued after police were alerted to an empty pushchair and a child's shoe on the bridge. |
The judge at Hull Crown Court said the two were lucky to survive the fall. | The judge at Hull Crown Court said the two were lucky to survive the fall. |
'Relatively unscathed' | 'Relatively unscathed' |
Judge Michael Mettyear added: "This is one of the most difficult cases I have ever had to deal with. | Judge Michael Mettyear added: "This is one of the most difficult cases I have ever had to deal with. |
"It is difficult because on the one hand you are an intelligent woman, you have no previous convictions and you pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity. | "It is difficult because on the one hand you are an intelligent woman, you have no previous convictions and you pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity. |
"On the other hand your conduct was very likely to kill your child. | "On the other hand your conduct was very likely to kill your child. |
"Of the 85 or so people who are known to have jumped off the Humber Bridge I was told that 80 died." | "Of the 85 or so people who are known to have jumped off the Humber Bridge I was told that 80 died." |
He said there was evidence to show that the act was premeditated, including writing on Schumann's stomach seen when she was dragged from the water which read: "Cause of death: Julio". | He said there was evidence to show that the act was premeditated, including writing on Schumann's stomach seen when she was dragged from the water which read: "Cause of death: Julio". |
Schumann's marriage to Julio Tumalan Nava had broken up and he had custody of the child, the court heard. | Schumann's marriage to Julio Tumalan Nava had broken up and he had custody of the child, the court heard. |
Only five people have survived falls from the Humber Bridge | Only five people have survived falls from the Humber Bridge |
An earlier court hearing heard that CCTV footage showed a person going off the bridge and splashing into the water. | An earlier court hearing heard that CCTV footage showed a person going off the bridge and splashing into the water. |
Minutes later, police were alerted after an empty pushchair, a child's pink shoe, and a white teddy bear were found on the walkway of the bridge. | Minutes later, police were alerted after an empty pushchair, a child's pink shoe, and a white teddy bear were found on the walkway of the bridge. |
Schumann suffered a fractured spine in the fall and spent almost two months in hospital. Her daughter was treated for hypothermia. | Schumann suffered a fractured spine in the fall and spent almost two months in hospital. Her daughter was treated for hypothermia. |
State of mind | |
The court heard that when police searched Schumann's home the next day, they found her will and 28 separate envelopes addressed to her daughter containing single photos of herself. | The court heard that when police searched Schumann's home the next day, they found her will and 28 separate envelopes addressed to her daughter containing single photos of herself. |
Nick Adlington, for the prosecution, said this highlighted her state of mind but he added that Mr Nava was in no way to blame. | Nick Adlington, for the prosecution, said this highlighted her state of mind but he added that Mr Nava was in no way to blame. |
Speaking afterwards, Nigel Cowgill, Humberside Chief Crown Prosecutor, said they had considered very carefully whether it was in the public interest to prosecute Miss Schumann. | |
"However, we made the decision to prosecute, because we felt it was important to fully record the actions of the defendant, which were calculated to take the life of a young child," he said. | |
Prison Reform Trust director Juliet Lyon said: "It is difficult to see what locking up this depressed, distressed mother will do to cut crime, respond to mental health needs or deter others from acting in desperation. | |
"Surely there is something better we can do to keep children safe and comfort tormented parents when relationships fall apart?" |
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