A man and woman have been found guilty of physically abusing an infant child, leaving her with profound disabilities, in what a judge described as a “monstrous act”.
A jury at Bristol Crown Court today (Wednesday, October 30) convicted 27-year-old Tom Kember of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and 25-year-old Katherine Reilly of child cruelty. The pair denied the charged but were found guilty unanimously following the five-week trial.
The baby girl was born prematurely at 31 weeks in 2019 and on January 14, 2020 – just 10 days after being discharged from the hospital – an ambulance was called to an address in Taunton because she was unresponsive. Paramedics noted bruises on her temples and raised concerns with Musgrove Park Hospital.
The court heard how Kember and Reilly, both from Taunton, left the hospital while the little girl was still being treated and began packing up her things.
The prosecution presented expert medical evidence to the court, indicating the baby’s injuries were of a level previously seen in high-speed car crashes or falls from a one-storey height. They would not have been caused by a domestic accident, the court heard.
The jury was told that Kember searched online for “what happend aif u (sic) hit a baby’s face” and “can a baby be sick if it gets hit,” two days before an ambulance was called to the Taunton property. At 10.45pm the next day, while at a fast-food restaurant with Reilly and the baby, Kember searched online for terms such as “if baby hits its head does the baby sleep a lot”.
It was not until about 1.20am on January 14 that Kember called 111. At 6.10am that day Kember searched for “can I get dosent for abiseing (sic) … baby”, which the prosecution argued was a mis-typing of “can I get done for abusing … baby”.
The child is now four-year-old and has been adopted by the foster parents who have been caring for her since she was four-months-old and in hospital. The traumatic brain injury has left her non-verbal, with significant visual impairment, multiple daily seizures and other complex needs.
Judge Julian Lambert described the crimes in court as a “monstrous act”.
Detective Chief Inspector Roger Doxsey, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a distressing case for all involved. A helpless baby has been abused by adults who were more concerned with avoiding the consequences of their actions than with seeking medical help for her.
“It is tragic to reflect that having been born at 31 weeks she was readmitted to hospital with these terrible injuries before her due date.
“I would like to pay tribute to the medical staff who helped to ensure this little girl’s remarkable survival, and the family who are now providing her with such love and care.”
Kember has been remanded in custody and Reilly bailed pending sentence, currently scheduled for January 24, 2025.