Thursday, 28 Mar 2024

Mother and ex-partner convicted over death of baby who suffered 42 fractures

Stanley Davis died of a skull fracture and brain haemorrhage when he was just 24 days old in March 2017.

His mother, Roxanne Davis, 30, and her former boyfriend Samuel Davies, 24, both from Gosport in Hampshire, were found guilty by a jury of causing or allowing the baby’s death.

As well as the skull fracture and haemorrhage, Stanley had 32 fractures to his ribs and nine to his arms and legs sustained on three separate occasions.

As the verdict was announced, Davies, who is not the child’s biological father, shook his head, while the baby’s mother sobbed.

They were told they would be remanded in custody, prompting Davis to shout: “You have got it wrong, Sam just tell them you done it.

“Thanks a lot Sam you murderer.”

Both defendants had tested positive for cocaine and cannabis following their arrests when Stanley was taken to hospital on 16 March 2017.

The first sign anything was wrong was when a health visitor found a bruise behind the baby’s right ear.

In the days leading up to Stanley’s death, Davis took a picture of an article in The Sun about a mother who carried her dead baby on a bus to avoid detection over the child’s death by head injury.

She also posted a video of Stanley fitting to Facebook, with the comment: “My baby is 16 days old should he be doing this already.”

Life support was withdrawn on 28 March 2017, and the court heard Davies told Davis it was “our fault”.

She told the jury she was “over the moon” when her son was born, adding: “I had the whole world in my hands.”

The pair will be sentenced on 7 December.

Derek Benson, chairman of the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Board confirmed a review is being carried out of the case’s handling by authorities.

An NSPCC spokesman said: “The circumstances surrounding the death of baby Stanley are tragic and disturbing.

“His short life was plagued with pain and suffering, caused by the very people who should have loved and protected him from harm.

“Babies and young children are entirely dependent on those who care for them and we all have a duty to look out for their welfare.”

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