A five-week-old baby girl died from a catastrophic brain injury after enduring 47 rib fractures during repeated assaults allegedly inflicted by her parents, a court has been told. The tragic case of Darcy-Leigh Jefferson, who passed away in March 2022, unfolded at Stafford Crown Court, where prosecutors detailed the horrific injuries sustained in her short life.
Details of the Alleged Assaults
Prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC opened the case against Sean Jefferson, 35, and Amy Clarke, 34, both of whom deny murdering Darcy-Leigh and causing or allowing her death. The court heard that the infant, born prematurely on February 20, 2022, weighing just over four pounds, died on March 29, 2022, after being hospitalised two days earlier.
Mr Sandhu explained that Darcy-Leigh sustained a catastrophic brain injury on or around March 27, likely due to being shaken violently or having her head struck against a surface. At the time of this injury, she was under the care of her parents, leading prosecutors to allege that one or both were responsible for her death.
Extensive Bone Injuries Revealed
The prosecution claimed that the brain injury was not an isolated incident, detailing a pattern of physical abuse throughout Darcy-Leigh's five-week life. By the time of her death, she had accumulated 47 rib fractures from at least three separate assault incidents. These fractures are believed to have been caused by chest squeezing, with three occurring in her first couple of weeks, 33 between five and ten days before her death, and eleven between two and five days prior.
In addition to the rib fractures, Darcy-Leigh suffered fractures to both legs, likely resulting from her legs being pulled, twisted, or her body being shaken. These leg injuries were inflicted at different times, further underscoring the repeated nature of the abuse.
Background of Parental Behaviour
The court heard that Clarke, who lived at a tidy address in Hudson Drive, Burntwood, Staffordshire, presented herself as a controlled mother but hid significant alcohol and cocaine use. Prosecutors argued that this chaotic lifestyle, fueled by substance abuse, contributed to the environment where Darcy-Leigh was assaulted.
Evidence presented included a message from Jefferson to Clarke in September 2021, while she was pregnant, threatening to put you 6ft underground if she harmed the baby through drinking. Jefferson was also described as a cannabis user, with the relationship between the parents characterised as volatile, marked by consistent disagreements and aggression.
Systemic Failures in Child Protection
Despite being subject to social services involvement, Darcy-Leigh was not registered on a child protection information sharing system due to an error, potentially hindering professional awareness of her situation. She was seen by healthcare professionals multiple times, including a visit on February 25, 2022, where she was noted to be doing well, but evidence suggests Clarke purchased alcohol and contacted her cocaine supplier shortly after.
Mr Sandhu emphasised that both parents were aware of the risks posed by each other, especially when alcohol and drugs were involved, yet failed to prevent the harm to their daughter. The trial continues, with the Crown's opening speech set to resume, highlighting the grave allegations in this distressing case.
