Menu
17/04/2009
Convicted Child Abuser Jailed For 'Allowing' Baby Death
A convicted child abuser has today been jailed for two years and three months for doing nothing to stop his ex-partner's "horrific" cruelty against her son.
Paul Husband, 33, from Newham, east London, was found guilty of neglect in relation to the death of two-month-old Rhys Biggs.
The court heard when Husband was 18 he was convicted at Kirkcaldy Sherriff's Court in Scotland for "lewd indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour" with a child.
Claire Biggs, Rhys's 22-year-old mother was jailed for eight years for assault last month at Inner London Crown Court and banned from working with children for five years.
The former crack addict's campaign of abuse left the baby with 17 fractured 17 ribs, a broken shoulder and a snapped wrist.
Passing sentence at Inner London Crown Court, judge Lindsay Burn told Husband, who in 1993 was convicted of child sex abuse in Scotland: "You failed to give Rhys the medical help you knew he needed for the distress he was in from some cause."
The court heard a number of opportunities were missed by health agencies and a breakdown in information sharing, and Biggs was able to repeatedly crush the child’s chest resulting in a "horrific" series of injuries.
Husband failed to either stop her or help the baby, and Biggs went on to break the child's right wrist and fracture his shoulder.
Because the cause of Rhys’s death could not be established, the pair could only be charged with child cruelty.
Judge Burn acknowledged that Husband had played no part in the physical abuse of the two-month-old boy.
He said: "The jury convicted you of child cruelty in which you failed to give Rhys medical help when it was obvious to you such help was required."
He added: "They were satisfied that Rhys’s mother was solely responsible for the injuries to him."
Defending, Sally O'Neill QC said her client had been "distraught" with the baby's death. She added that he should have done more to help Rhys, but said he felt Biggs "knew best".
Ms O'Neill said: "He thought of Rhys as his own son.
"He still struggles with what he could have done to help him. He has got to live with that burden for the rest of his life."
(JM/BMcC)
Paul Husband, 33, from Newham, east London, was found guilty of neglect in relation to the death of two-month-old Rhys Biggs.
The court heard when Husband was 18 he was convicted at Kirkcaldy Sherriff's Court in Scotland for "lewd indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour" with a child.
Claire Biggs, Rhys's 22-year-old mother was jailed for eight years for assault last month at Inner London Crown Court and banned from working with children for five years.
The former crack addict's campaign of abuse left the baby with 17 fractured 17 ribs, a broken shoulder and a snapped wrist.
Passing sentence at Inner London Crown Court, judge Lindsay Burn told Husband, who in 1993 was convicted of child sex abuse in Scotland: "You failed to give Rhys the medical help you knew he needed for the distress he was in from some cause."
The court heard a number of opportunities were missed by health agencies and a breakdown in information sharing, and Biggs was able to repeatedly crush the child’s chest resulting in a "horrific" series of injuries.
Husband failed to either stop her or help the baby, and Biggs went on to break the child's right wrist and fracture his shoulder.
Because the cause of Rhys’s death could not be established, the pair could only be charged with child cruelty.
Judge Burn acknowledged that Husband had played no part in the physical abuse of the two-month-old boy.
He said: "The jury convicted you of child cruelty in which you failed to give Rhys medical help when it was obvious to you such help was required."
He added: "They were satisfied that Rhys’s mother was solely responsible for the injuries to him."
Defending, Sally O'Neill QC said her client had been "distraught" with the baby's death. She added that he should have done more to help Rhys, but said he felt Biggs "knew best".
Ms O'Neill said: "He thought of Rhys as his own son.
"He still struggles with what he could have done to help him. He has got to live with that burden for the rest of his life."
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 January 2009
Consultation To End Child Poverty, Launched
The Government has today set out plans to make sure every child gets the best start in life by tackling child poverty, which can unfairly hold children back and prevent them reaching their full potential.
Consultation To End Child Poverty, Launched
The Government has today set out plans to make sure every child gets the best start in life by tackling child poverty, which can unfairly hold children back and prevent them reaching their full potential.
10 March 2009
Mother Sentenced Over Death Of Baby Son
A 27-year-old woman is to be sentenced for a "horrific" campaign of cruelty against her baby son. Claire Biggs, of Newham, repeatedly crushed her two-month-old son Rhys's chest, fracturing numerous ribs. The baby's wrist and shoulder were also broken in the attacks.
Mother Sentenced Over Death Of Baby Son
A 27-year-old woman is to be sentenced for a "horrific" campaign of cruelty against her baby son. Claire Biggs, of Newham, repeatedly crushed her two-month-old son Rhys's chest, fracturing numerous ribs. The baby's wrist and shoulder were also broken in the attacks.
10 December 2009
Child Obesity 'Levelling Off'
New figures have suggested escalating child obesity in the UK is beginning to level off, however, rates are still too high, according to the government. The National Child Measurement Programme suggested families are benefiting from knowing the facts about their child's weight.
Child Obesity 'Levelling Off'
New figures have suggested escalating child obesity in the UK is beginning to level off, however, rates are still too high, according to the government. The National Child Measurement Programme suggested families are benefiting from knowing the facts about their child's weight.
03 August 2009
NSPCC Calls Rise After Death Of Baby P
More people are calling the NSPCC Helpline about serious child abuse since the death of Baby Peter two years ago. Between April 2008 and March 2009, the 24-hour freephone service passed on 11,243 suspected child protection cases to police or social services - an increase of more than a third over two years.
NSPCC Calls Rise After Death Of Baby P
More people are calling the NSPCC Helpline about serious child abuse since the death of Baby Peter two years ago. Between April 2008 and March 2009, the 24-hour freephone service passed on 11,243 suspected child protection cases to police or social services - an increase of more than a third over two years.
08 March 2006
Report notes increase in child porn sites
The number of child porn sites reported to police has increased by almost 80%, a new report has revealed. The report, by the Internet Watch Foundation, said that public intolerance of child abuse sites and the development of new skills aimed at tackling the distribution of such images had led to the increase in reports.
Report notes increase in child porn sites
The number of child porn sites reported to police has increased by almost 80%, a new report has revealed. The report, by the Internet Watch Foundation, said that public intolerance of child abuse sites and the development of new skills aimed at tackling the distribution of such images had led to the increase in reports.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
