Menu
22/04/2010
Mother Who Let Baby Burn Is Jailed
A mother has been jailed for more than two years after her 13-month-old son's charred body was found strapped in his buggy in front of a fire.
Tracey Sutherland's confession that she neglected her son, Alexander, between October 29 and November 10 last year, was accepted by Judge Clement Goldstone QC.
Sentencing her to 27 months in prison, he said: "I accept you are genuinely and utterly remorseful for what you did or more importantly what you did not do."
Alex was found by police at the family home in Baguley, Manchester, on November 10. He was taken to hospital but later died.
At an earlier hearing it emerged there was evidence of charring to the body and apparent bruising.
But a pathologist's report said no direct link could be found between the 39-year-old mother's neglect and the baby's death, Manchester Crown Court heard.
During the hearing the judge also criticised social services for their "lack of urgency".
Social workers became involved with the Sutherland family shortly after Alexander's birth.
After nearly a year, in September 2009, they declared the case closed as he did not seem to be at any risk.
This changed on 5 October, when social services received a call following a family row. After an assessment, Alexander was deemed to be at "medium risk".
However, there was no further contact for a month and social services allowed a meeting arranged for 5 November to be cancelled by Sutherland.
Five days later, the emergency services received a call from Sutherland saying she had been at home alone with her baby for three days.
Paramedics found the house was unlocked and discovered Alexander in his pushchair next to a lit gas fire.
Pauline Newman, director of children's services at Manchester City Council, said:"We are examining closely our involvement with the family in the context of the multi-agency serious case review which is being carried out by the independent Manchester Safeguarding Children's Board."
(LB/CD)
Tracey Sutherland's confession that she neglected her son, Alexander, between October 29 and November 10 last year, was accepted by Judge Clement Goldstone QC.
Sentencing her to 27 months in prison, he said: "I accept you are genuinely and utterly remorseful for what you did or more importantly what you did not do."
Alex was found by police at the family home in Baguley, Manchester, on November 10. He was taken to hospital but later died.
At an earlier hearing it emerged there was evidence of charring to the body and apparent bruising.
But a pathologist's report said no direct link could be found between the 39-year-old mother's neglect and the baby's death, Manchester Crown Court heard.
During the hearing the judge also criticised social services for their "lack of urgency".
Social workers became involved with the Sutherland family shortly after Alexander's birth.
After nearly a year, in September 2009, they declared the case closed as he did not seem to be at any risk.
This changed on 5 October, when social services received a call following a family row. After an assessment, Alexander was deemed to be at "medium risk".
However, there was no further contact for a month and social services allowed a meeting arranged for 5 November to be cancelled by Sutherland.
Five days later, the emergency services received a call from Sutherland saying she had been at home alone with her baby for three days.
Paramedics found the house was unlocked and discovered Alexander in his pushchair next to a lit gas fire.
Pauline Newman, director of children's services at Manchester City Council, said:"We are examining closely our involvement with the family in the context of the multi-agency serious case review which is being carried out by the independent Manchester Safeguarding Children's Board."
(LB/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 April 2014
Bogus Social Worker Calls At House In Gloucestershire
Police and social care services in Gloucestershire are urging residents to be vigilant after a woman falsely claiming to be a social worker called on a house in Quedgeley and asked to carry out checks on a baby. The incident happened in Deerhurst Place in Quedgeley at around 2pm on Wednesday (23 April).
Bogus Social Worker Calls At House In Gloucestershire
Police and social care services in Gloucestershire are urging residents to be vigilant after a woman falsely claiming to be a social worker called on a house in Quedgeley and asked to carry out checks on a baby. The incident happened in Deerhurst Place in Quedgeley at around 2pm on Wednesday (23 April).
08 July 2009
£5m Allocated To Tackle Children's Communication Problems
A £5million package of measures is being rolled out to help improve services for children and young people with communication problems. A new Communication Champion is also being recruited to raise the profile of these issues, Children's Secretary, Ed Balls and Care Services Minister Phil Hope announced today.
£5m Allocated To Tackle Children's Communication Problems
A £5million package of measures is being rolled out to help improve services for children and young people with communication problems. A new Communication Champion is also being recruited to raise the profile of these issues, Children's Secretary, Ed Balls and Care Services Minister Phil Hope announced today.
02 April 2004
Marks & Spencer poised to axe 1,000 jobs
Under restructuring plans announced on Friday, Marks & Spencer is to axe around 1,000 jobs following a review of head office operations and the financial services division. The company said the decision formed a "major part of Marks & Spencer's ongoing plan to accelerate business transformation".
Marks & Spencer poised to axe 1,000 jobs
Under restructuring plans announced on Friday, Marks & Spencer is to axe around 1,000 jobs following a review of head office operations and the financial services division. The company said the decision formed a "major part of Marks & Spencer's ongoing plan to accelerate business transformation".
22 August 2013
Police Search For Missing Woman And Son
Police are searching for a woman who has gone missing with her one-year-old son. Michelle Kelly and son Jaden, from Basildon, were reported missing on Friday 16 August. Jaden is subject of a care order with parental responsibility having been given to Essex Social Services.
Police Search For Missing Woman And Son
Police are searching for a woman who has gone missing with her one-year-old son. Michelle Kelly and son Jaden, from Basildon, were reported missing on Friday 16 August. Jaden is subject of a care order with parental responsibility having been given to Essex Social Services.
30 March 2009
Regulation For Health And Adult Social Care Providers Published
A new framework to regulate the safety and quality of health and social care services was published today by the Department of Health, ahead of the new Care Quality Commission coming into effect on 1 April 2009.
Regulation For Health And Adult Social Care Providers Published
A new framework to regulate the safety and quality of health and social care services was published today by the Department of Health, ahead of the new Care Quality Commission coming into effect on 1 April 2009.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
