Dad jailed over baby death

Lee Davison, 29, was sentenced today to eight years in prison for allowing the death of baby Krystal last April.

Davison, of Asheligh Avenue, was convicted last month of causing or allowing his seven-week-old daughter’s death following a four week trial at Leeds Crown Court.

His co-accused, the baby’s mother, Jessica Hopkinson, was acquitted on the same charge.

In his judgement, Mr Justice Andrew Smith told the court he could not be satisfied the dad had inflicted fatal injuries on his baby, which included bleeding behind the eyes, brain damage, and broken leg bones and ribs.

But he concluded the defendant must have been aware his daughter was suffering and was therefore responsible for allowing Krystal to die.

The judge said: “Even if you didn’t injure her yourself, I’m sure you must have been aware of these [injuries] by the beginning of April.

“You did nothing and you should have done. You bear responsibilty because you knew she was being hurt and couldn’t face up to doing anything about it.

“If you, her father, had protected her, she would have lived.”

The court heard Davison had previous convictions for actual bodily harm against an ex-girlfriend.

See next week’s Express for more.