Jacob Crouch's mother and stepfather have been sentenced at Derby Crown Court over their roles in the baby's death in 2020
Stepfather Craig Crouch has been given a minimum term of 28 years for the murder of the 10-month-old at his Derbyshire home
Jacob's mother Gemma Barton has been given 10 years for causing or allowing the death of a child; she was cleared of murder during the trial
Members of the Crouch family are all "broken", the court has heard during today's emotional victim impact statements
Jacob was assaulted numerous times in the months leading up to his death, before the final fatal attack by his stepfather
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The judge is now listing some of the factors in his decision, which includes a discussion of the legal guidelines for crimes such as hers, which were updated recently.
Jacob's mother Gemma Barton is being sentenced now.
Mr Justice Kerr says he has taken into account psychiatric reports which, among other things, found she had a history of mental disorder and she was susceptible to "manipulation and coercion".
Kerr continues, saying Craig Crouch manipulated Barton with "coercive and controlling behaviour".
He says there is "ample evidence" of that. He acknowledges that Barton's time in custody has been tougher due to the fact she's been treated for breast cancer during that period.
We know this is an extremely distressing case.
If you, or someone you know, needs help after reading about it, the details of organisations offering assistance can be found on the BBC Action Line website.
Alex Homer
Reporting from Derby Crown Court
Craig Crouch will be sentenced to life for murder.
The minimum term is the time Craig Crouch will serve in prison before the parole board will consider his release on licence.
The judge, Mr Justice Tim Kerr, took into consideration the murder charge and three child cruelty charges of which Craig Crouch was found guilty by the jury.
The minimum term was set at 28 years for murder.
Craig Crouch sentenced to life with a minimum of 28 years for the murder of Jacob Crouch before he is eligible for parole.
The judge continues to list what he says are the factors that have gone into his decision to determine how long Crouch will be sentenced.
One of those, he says, is that "over about seven months" Crouch inflicted pain and suffering onto "this little baby".
The judge goes onto indicate a starting point for Crouch's sentencing is 30 years, given the seriousness of the offence.
"You are in some ways an unlikely murderer," Mr Justice Kerr says, given Crouch's lack of a history of issues such as drug or alcohol addiction.
He then says these are limited mitigation and reduces his minimum jail term by two years.
Mr Justice Kerr lists the aggravating factors he is taking into account in Crouch's sentence.
Jacob's age and vulnerability is the first. Crouch abused Jacob's trust, as he was wholly dependent on the adults around him, Kerr says.
That Crouch did not seek medical assistance for Jacob, knowing how "gravely" injured he was is another factor.
Finally, that Crouch used "lies and bullying tactics" against Barton to convince her he wasn't mistreating her son
We are now moving onto sentences.
For Craig Crouch, who was found guilty of murder, the judge says he must be handed a life sentence but first he needs to consider the seriousness of the offence and the minimum period Crouch will serve.
This is the minimum term Crouch must serve before his case can be reviewed by the parole board to consider if he can be released on licence.
Image source, Derbyshire ConstabularyDon't forget that you can watch the judge's remarks by pressing the Play button above.
But for legal reasons, or to avoid graphic descriptions, sometimes the feed will be suspended for a few moments.
Mr Justice Kerr is going over the counts that Crouch and Barton were convicted of earlier this week.
He says the pair both attempted to hide the truth about the night of Jacob's killing, in order to protect themselves.
Addressing Barton, he says there is "no doubt" she failed to protect her child from his stepfather, when she should have been aware of the risk Crouch posed to Jacob.
The judge says he is sure Barton was aware of the assault that led to Jacob's death but did nothing to stop it.
He says neither she nor Crouch sought medical help and the 10-month-old died as a result.
Image source, .Mr Justice Kerr says Crouch assumed the role of Jacob's father.
The court feed cuts out again, resuming as the judge tells Crouch he is "sure" he caused the bruises seen on Jacob.
He goes on to list some of the injuries that Jacob suffered, which we've gone through in earlier posts.
These include "about 40 rib fractures", Mr Justice Kerr says.
The judge is now taking us through the relationship between Craig Crouch and Gemma Barton, who met in September 2019 when she was four months pregnant with Jacob.
Mr Justice Kerr accepts they fell in love, but Crouch was dominant and aggressive. He says Barton was "meek and submissive" in her "misplaced affection".
He also lists some of the "implausible lies" Crouch told Barton when they met - including that he regularly met the prime minister and earned a high salary.
Image source, Derbyshire ConstabularyAlex Homer
Reporting from Derby Crown Court
Gemma Barton continues to stare at the floor with her hand shaking, pausing to wipe tears with a tissue.
Craig Crouch stares straight ahead, showing no emotion.
You can watch the judge's remarks by pressing the Play button above.
Remember - for legal reasons, or to avoid graphic descriptions, sometimes the feed will be suspended for a few moments.
Mr Justice Kerr says he and the jury have had to see many distressing pictures of Jacob after being abused.
He says Jacob was a happy, smiling baby - who never complained about the treatment he received.
For the wider family, the pain caused by his death will go on for many years to come.
It is "nothing less than tragic" that Jacob will never become a boy and then a man, Mr Justice Kerr goes on to say.
Image source, PA MediaAlex Homer
Reporting from Derby Crown Court
The defendants have been brought back in to the dock ahead of sentencing.
Gemma Barton is wearing a green top and white cardigan and Craig Crouch is wearing an open-collar grey long sleeve shirt and grey waistcoat.
The Judge, Mr Justice Tim Kerr has told the defendants to remain seated.
The judge, Mr Justice Kerr, has begun his proceedings.
The cameras have quickly cut out for legal reasons.
Mr Justice Kerr has returned to the bench and the hearing has now resumed.
Shortly we are expecting the judge to hand down his sentences to both Craig Crouch and Gemma Barton.
You can watch his remarks by pressing the Play button above.
Remember - for legal reasons, or to avoid graphic descriptions, sometimes the feed will be suspended for a few moments.
Det Insp Paul Bullock of Derbyshire Constabulary gave a statement on Wednesday, shortly after Craig Crouch was found guilty of Jacob’s murder and Gemma Barton of causing or allowing the death of her son.
“Jacob Crouch was born into a culture of cruelty where both of the people who he should have been able to trust above any other allowed him to be subjected to assault after assault,” Bullock told the press outside Derby Crown Court.
He added that, as a father, he couldn’t “comprehend what happened behind closed doors” and said his thoughts were with the 10-month-old’s wider family “who have been left devastated by his death”.
Watch the statement in full below:
Jacob Crouch: Murdered baby 'born into a culture of cruelty'