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Mother allowed baby son's murder Mother allowed baby son's murder
(10 minutes later)
A 21-year-old woman has been found guilty of the new charge of familial homicide by failing to prevent her baby son's murder by her partner.A 21-year-old woman has been found guilty of the new charge of familial homicide by failing to prevent her baby son's murder by her partner.
Rebecca Lewis's 13-month-old son Aaron Gilbert died from brain damage in May. He had suffered 50 injuries.Rebecca Lewis's 13-month-old son Aaron Gilbert died from brain damage in May. He had suffered 50 injuries.
Her partner at the time, Andrew Lloyd, 23, pleaded guilty to murder at Swansea Crown Court over two weeks ago.Her partner at the time, Andrew Lloyd, 23, pleaded guilty to murder at Swansea Crown Court over two weeks ago.
Lewis from Swansea, denied familial homicide and was the first person in Wales to face the charge.Lewis from Swansea, denied familial homicide and was the first person in Wales to face the charge.
Lewis broke down in the dock and held her head in her hands as the verdict was delivered.Lewis broke down in the dock and held her head in her hands as the verdict was delivered.
Four weeks before at the start of the trial, the prosecution alleged that although Lewis was largely absent when the violence was inflicted on her son, her silence allowed it to continue.Four weeks before at the start of the trial, the prosecution alleged that although Lewis was largely absent when the violence was inflicted on her son, her silence allowed it to continue.
The jury heard that the charge Lewis faced - that of familial homicide - was "very rare" and that she was "one of the first, possibly the first" to face it.The jury heard that the charge Lewis faced - that of familial homicide - was "very rare" and that she was "one of the first, possibly the first" to face it.
Lloyd pleaded guilty when presented with medical evidence
Paul Lewis QC, prosecuting, said Lloyd had caused a "constellation of some 50 injuries" to Aaron's body.Paul Lewis QC, prosecuting, said Lloyd had caused a "constellation of some 50 injuries" to Aaron's body.
Lloyd pleaded guilty when presented with medical evidence
"Andrew Lloyd systematically and violently assaulted a defenceless child and ultimately killed it," he added."Andrew Lloyd systematically and violently assaulted a defenceless child and ultimately killed it," he added.
"Aaron's mother, Rebecca Lewis, who should have protected and cared for her son, allowed the injuries and ill-treatment to continue until, eventually, her inaction cost Aaron his life.""Aaron's mother, Rebecca Lewis, who should have protected and cared for her son, allowed the injuries and ill-treatment to continue until, eventually, her inaction cost Aaron his life."
The jury heard Ms Lewis had begun a relationship with Lloyd following the break-up of her relationship with Aaron's father Gareth Gilbert.The jury heard Ms Lewis had begun a relationship with Lloyd following the break-up of her relationship with Aaron's father Gareth Gilbert.
Lewis told the trial that Lloyd had initially been "brilliant" with the baby but that within three weeks problems emerged. Lewis told the trial that Lloyd had initially been "brilliant" with the baby but that within weeks of him moving in problems emerged. Eight weeks later Aaron was dead.
The court heard that he declared that he hated the child and threatened "to smash your little head in". The court heard that Lloyd declared he hated the child and threatened "to smash your little head in".
Lewis had seen Lloyd mistreating the child, flicking his ears and feet when he cried, picking him up by his ears and throwing him onto a bed and settee. She also admitted seeing a bite mark on Aaron's face. Lewis acknowledged that the baby became terrified of Lloyd. She had seen him flicking his ears and feet when he cried, picking him up by his ears and ankles and throwing him onto a bed and settee.
But, she told the court, in spite of that she had trusted Lloyd.
On the day before Aaron died on 5 May 2005, Lewis left the baby with Lloyd for about 15 minutes to go shopping. When she returned, Aaron was lying on the kitchen floor. He was grey. Lloyd was bent over him trying to administer mouth-to-mouth.
'Social services''Social services'
On the day before Aaron died in May 2005, Lewis left him with Lloyd for about 15 minutes to go shopping. When she returned, Aaron was lying on the kitchen floor. He was grey and not breathing.
Doctors at Singleton Hospital and later the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, tried for 18 hours to save Aaron's life but he died of brain damage.Doctors at Singleton Hospital and later the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, tried for 18 hours to save Aaron's life but he died of brain damage.
Lewis admitted in court she had let Lloyd mistreat the baby because she was frightened as he had threatened to kill her if she left him. But, she told the jury, she did not think he would hurt Aaron "seriously".Lewis admitted in court she had let Lloyd mistreat the baby because she was frightened as he had threatened to kill her if she left him. But, she told the jury, she did not think he would hurt Aaron "seriously".
The court also heard that neighbours began to notice bruises and injuries on the baby.The court also heard that neighbours began to notice bruises and injuries on the baby.
Lewis' cousin Sharon Hurlow made two anonymous calls to Swansea social services, who wrote to Ms Lewis.Lewis' cousin Sharon Hurlow made two anonymous calls to Swansea social services, who wrote to Ms Lewis.
He said if I left he would kill me or my ex-boyfriend Rebecca Lewis
She was asked to attend an appointment. It turned it was booked for the day Aaron was taken to hospital, fatally injured.She was asked to attend an appointment. It turned it was booked for the day Aaron was taken to hospital, fatally injured.
He said if I left he would kill me or my ex-boyfriend Rebecca Lewis
However, the court heard, the letter had been sent to the wrong address.However, the court heard, the letter had been sent to the wrong address.
The charge of familial homicide came into force in May 2005 under Section 5 of the Domestic Violence, Crimes and Victims Act 2004.The charge of familial homicide came into force in May 2005 under Section 5 of the Domestic Violence, Crimes and Victims Act 2004.
The Act allows any person in a household to be prosecuted for failing to intervene to protect a child victim of domestic crime.The Act allows any person in a household to be prosecuted for failing to intervene to protect a child victim of domestic crime.
Lewis denied allowing her son's murder and said she had thought about leaving Lloyd but was afraid of what he might do.Lewis denied allowing her son's murder and said she had thought about leaving Lloyd but was afraid of what he might do.
"He said if I left he would kill me or my ex-boyfriend," she said"He said if I left he would kill me or my ex-boyfriend," she said
The jury also heard her explain that she loved Lloyd and had trusted him, and did not believe he had murdered Aaron until she heard him admit it in court.The jury also heard her explain that she loved Lloyd and had trusted him, and did not believe he had murdered Aaron until she heard him admit it in court.
Lloyd initially denied murder but changed his plea during the trial when he heard the medical evidence surrounding Aaron's death. Lloyd initially denied murder but later wept uncontrollably when he changed his plea when presented with medical evidence.
Lewis was remanded in custody and will be sentenced alongside Lloyd on a date to be fixed. The couple will be sentenced together on a date to be fixed.
Judge Mr Justice Langstaff told her a prison sentence looked "inevitable". Judge Mr Justice Langstaff told Lewis a prison sentence looked "inevitable".