The trial heard Jacob suffered “repeated physical abuse” in the days before he died in Linton, Derbyshire
By Caroline Lowbridge
BBC News
A man who murdered his 10-month-old stepson in a “brutal” assault has been given a life sentence and told he will serve a minimum of 28 years in prison.
Jacob Crouch was assaulted numerous times in the months leading up to his death, before the final fatal attack by Craig Crouch.
Jacob’s mother Gemma Barton was cleared of murder but found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child.
The pair were sentenced at Derby Crown Court earlier.
Barton – who was coerced and controlled by Crouch, according to the judge, and had also undergone treatment for breast cancer since being arrested – was given a 10-year prison sentence.
‘Acute suffering’
Mr Justice Kerr said Crouch had caused Jacob “intense and prolonged harm”.
“Jacob was a happy, smiley bubbly baby who never complained about the horrific treatment he was receiving,” he said.
“He had to put up with it, and he did, often with a smile. Even those who never knew Jacob personally will miss him.
“You [Crouch] caused Jacob acute physical and mental suffering.
“You inflicted first bruising, and then fractured ribs, on this little baby. You have not shown any remorse for what you did.”
The judge described Crouch, of Donisthorpe Lane, Moira, near Swadlincote, as “domineering, aggressive, boastful and arrogant”.
He said Barton, of Ray Street, Heanor, Derbyshire, tolerated his behaviour out of “misplaced affection”.
The 33-year-old wept in the dock as she was sentenced.
“You, Miss Barton, noticed the bruises and did nothing to protect him from suffering these injuries,” the judge said.
“You either knew or should have known the risk to Jacob from Mr Crouch, and did nothing to protect him from it.
“I am sure you knew that Jacob’s plight was serious. You failed to take such steps that you reasonably should have been expected to have undertaken.
“The evidence was there to see, but you failed to face up to it.”
Image source, Derbyshire Police
Craig Crouch was convicted of murder while co-accused Gemma Barton was acquitted of murder but found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child
The prosecution said neither parent had given Jacob the care he “needed or deserved”.
Prosecutor Mary Prior KC said Jacob had suffered at least 39 fractured ribs, with 22 of these occurring in the week of his death.
He also had “significant” bruising, including to his cheeks, ear and left thigh.
She said Jacob was eventually killed by a “brutal blow or blows to his abdomen”, which caused a tear to his bowel, which in turn caused peritonitis.
Forensic pathologist Dr Michael Biggs, who gave evidence at the trial, said he would normally expect to see injuries such as Jacob’s in car crash victims or those who had suffered a multi-storey fall.
Jacob Crouch: Moment parents were arrested
The seven-week trial at Derby Crown Court heard that Jacob died alone in his cot on 30 December 2020, having suffered a “living hell” at his home in Linton, Derbyshire.
Barton, now 33, had met Crouch, now 39, while she was four months pregnant with Jacob.
The court heard that she had previously been assaulted by Jacob’s biological father.
She and Crouch became “very close, very quickly”, according to the prosecution, calling Jacob “our little boy” after only a month.
Jacob was then born healthy on 17 February 2020, with Crouch named as his father on the birth certificate.
The judge said he had taken into account the fact that Barton had a history of mental health problems, including depression, and this may have made her “more susceptible to manipulation and coercion”.
“Mr Crouch did exert such influence and did manipulate you in a manner amounting to what is commonly called coercive and controlling behaviour,” said the judge.
“Of that there is ample evidence in many text messages that were read to the jury during the trial.”
The trial heard Crouch told Barton in June 2020 to be “more regimental” with her son, including by taking him to bed for crying for no reason in order to “not let this take over us”.
In another text Jacob was referred to as the “devil” by the pair.
In September, when Barton told Crouch she was bathing Jacob, he replied “3 foot deep, just hot water and some bleach xxxx”.
Could have survived
Mrs Prior said Jacob was assaulted on a regular basis from the age of just four months.
She said he could have survived the final assault that ended his life, if either of the defendants had called for medical help sooner.
They did call 999, claiming they had found Jacob unresponsive in his cot.
However, there were already signs of rigor mortis when paramedics arrived at the couple’s home, which suggested Jacob had been dead for much longer than they claimed.
Jacob Crouch: Murdered baby ‘born into a culture of cruelty’
As well as being convicted of murder, Crouch was also convicted of three counts of child cruelty.
Barton was found guilty of one count of child cruelty, in addition to causing or allowing the death of a child.
However, she was cleared of two further counts of child cruelty, as well as a charge of manslaughter, which was an alternative charge to the murder allegation.
Following sentencing, Derbyshire Police’s Det Insp Paul Bullock, said: “While no sentence can bring Jacob back, I hope that today brings the family some closure on what has been a horrific two-and-a-half-years.
“I would also like to thank them all for the respectful and dignified manner in which they have conducted themselves throughout the trial.
“My condolences remain with them all.”
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