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Nose-bite baby death: Southampton teen parents jailed | Nose-bite baby death: Southampton teen parents jailed |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two teenagers have been jailed over the death of their baby son who was bitten on the nose in a "violent assault". | Two teenagers have been jailed over the death of their baby son who was bitten on the nose in a "violent assault". |
Doulton Phillips, 17, also broke six-week-old Reggie's skull, ribs and leg at a mother-and-baby unit in Southampton in February. | Doulton Phillips, 17, also broke six-week-old Reggie's skull, ribs and leg at a mother-and-baby unit in Southampton in February. |
He was detained for life with a minimum of 15 years at Winchester Crown Court after being convicted of the murder. | He was detained for life with a minimum of 15 years at Winchester Crown Court after being convicted of the murder. |
The baby's mother, Alannah Skinner, 19, was given a 30-month sentence after being found guilty of child cruelty. | The baby's mother, Alannah Skinner, 19, was given a 30-month sentence after being found guilty of child cruelty. |
'Gut-wrenching cry' | 'Gut-wrenching cry' |
Neighbours heard the sounds of a violent argument at Skinner's flat in Defender Road in the early hours of 11 February, the court heard. | Neighbours heard the sounds of a violent argument at Skinner's flat in Defender Road in the early hours of 11 February, the court heard. |
One told police she heard a baby's "gut-wrenching cry of pain" and "further screaming that turned her stomach", prosecutors said. | One told police she heard a baby's "gut-wrenching cry of pain" and "further screaming that turned her stomach", prosecutors said. |
Judge Mr Justice Spencer said Phillips, who was 16 at the time of the attack, had inflicted "truly appalling injuries" by swinging the baby against a hard surface. | |
"Such wicked cruelty towards a helpless, tiny baby is almost beyond belief," he said. | |
The infant died in hospital from a fatal head wound that had flattened the back of his skull, the court heard. | |
Phillips told the jury he had taken ecstasy and drunk vodka and lager shortly before the boy's death. | Phillips told the jury he had taken ecstasy and drunk vodka and lager shortly before the boy's death. |
He had a "capacity for violence and loss of temper while in drink", prosecutors said. | |
'Defies belief' | |
Skinner, his former partner, had failed to protect the child and failed to summon medical help immediately, the jury was told. | |
Speaking of the nose-bite, the judge said: "It defies belief that any mother seeing that injury let the baby anywhere near the perpetrator, even if it was the father." | |
Both defendants were convicted on Thursday following a four-week trial. | |
Phillips, of Lydgate Road, Southampton, and Skinner, of Medwall Green in the city, will be detained in young offender institutions. | Phillips, of Lydgate Road, Southampton, and Skinner, of Medwall Green in the city, will be detained in young offender institutions. |
Southampton Safeguarding Children Board is reviewing the case. | Southampton Safeguarding Children Board is reviewing the case. |