Featured Image Credit: Derbyshire Police/PA Wire
Topics: Crime, Parenting, UK News, Domestic Abuse
Callum Jones
Topics: Crime, Parenting, UK News, Domestic Abuse
***Warning: this article discusses themes of child abuse.***
The chilling moment a mum sobbed fake tears as she was arrested for the murder her ten-month old son has been released.
On 30 December, 2020, emergency services scrambled to Jacob Crouch's home in Linton, Derbyshire, where they devastatingly found the little one dead in his cot.
The baby is said to have suffered at least 39 rib fractures after he was kicked or stamped on so severely it caused a tear in his stomach and bowel.
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Before Jacob died in his cot, Derby Crown Court heard he would have been in immense pain after developing an infection in his organs.
On Wednesday (2 August), Gemma Barton, Jacob's mum, was found guilty of causing or allowing a child to die and two counts of child cruelty, while her partner, Craig Crouch, was convicted of murder.
After the verdicts were delivered in court, Detective Inspector Paul Bullock, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “Jacob Crouch was born into a culture of cruelty where both of the people he should have been able to trust above any other allowed him to be subjected to assault after assault.
“Heartbreakingly, for much of Jacob’s short life, he would have been in significant pain as a result of the serious and repeated assaults."
He continued: “It is clear from the evidence found on Gemma Barton and Craig Crouch’s phones, through text messages, videos and audio recordings, that they were equally responsible for the culture of cruelty that was inflicted on baby Jacob.
“I hope that today’s verdict brings with it a degree of closure for them [Jacob's family], and it begins the process of them being able to grieve for Jacob, and remember the happier times with a much-loved child.”
Footage has now been released of the moment both Barton and Crouch were arrested, with the mum seemingly producing fake tears as she was led away by police.
"I didn't do anything, I've not done anything," Barton can be heard saying as she is told she is arrested on suspicion of murder.
She also begged the police not to arrest her as handcuffs are put on her wrist, before she started crying once more.
The mum then moaned again, saying: "I didn't do anything, I didn't do anything."
As she is walked down the stairs towards the police car, Barton continued to protest her innocence.
On the other hand, her partner was lot calmer, as he told police, 'you won't need them, I'll come with you', while he is handcuffed before the video cuts.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 8am–10pm Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm weekends. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111.