Couple jailed over lies about child's injuries

The couple were sentenced at Luton Crown Court on 10 January

A couple have been jailed after lying about how a one-year-old in their care sustained significant head injuries.

Hayley Best, 37, and Steven Buckley, 32, both of Northamptonshire, were found guilty of causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child.

In September 2020, paramedics were called to a home in Wymington, Bedfordshire, where the child was found with a fractured skull, a brain bleed, and unexplained bruising.

Best and Buckley claimed the injuries were caused by a fall from a chair onto a hard kitchen floor, though neither witnessed the incident.

Steven Buckley, 32, and Hayley Best, 37, have both received prison terms

Despite noticing the child vomiting and appearing lifeless, the pair delayed seeking medical attention, the court heard.

Best messaged a friend for advice, who insisted on calling an ambulance.

Medical experts later determined the injuries were non-accidental, contradicting the couple's account.

Best and Buckley were later arrested and after a four-week trial at Luton Crown Court were found guilty.

'Particularly upsetting'

On 10 January, Best, of Headingley Road in Rushden, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison, while Buckley, of Priory Road in Wellingborough, received a seven-year sentence with an additional three years on extended licence.

Det Con Charlie Sermons, who led the investigation, described the case as "particularly upsetting".

The officer added: "Both Best and Buckley remained consistent in their version of events, blaming an unwitnessed fall that had been ruled out by medical experts, but neither could offer any further explanation as the cause of such significant injuries.

"There was also a significant delay in seeking medical attention as they attempted to try and cover up what had happened."