A mother who brutally attacked her seven-week-old baby and then bought a lottery ticket instead of rushing her to hospital has been jailed for life.
Mother found guilty of murder
Sarah Ngaba, 32, fractured baby Eliza's skull at their home in Brookside, Telford, on November 13, 2019, leaving her with 'unimaginable and life-altering injuries'. She was found guilty of murder at Birmingham Crown Court.
The baby was seen 'physically shaking' by Ngaba's friend during a video call at 8.01am. The friend urged her to call an ambulance and go to A&E. Instead, Ngaba took a bath.
She called a taxi firm around ten minutes later but was told no drivers were available until 8.50am. Ngaba accepted the booking without urgency and left her home at 8.40am, captured on doorbell camera.
Lottery ticket purchase
Instead of seeking immediate medical help, Ngaba walked to a nearby shop and bought a lottery ticket. A taxi arrived at 9.05am, taking her and Eliza to Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
At the hospital, Ngaba opted for triage rather than A&E. Doctors later discovered Eliza had a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain. Eliza was transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital, where Ngaba was later arrested.
When interviewed, Ngaba said: 'I accept I lost my self-control and struck her. I have a bad temper, and I cannot remember exactly what happened.'
Previous conviction and death
Ngaba was initially charged with grievous bodily harm with intent. She admitted the offence and in May 2021 was jailed for 14 years. Eliza was placed into foster care.
On August 11, 2022, Eliza was admitted to hospital with a respiratory infection and died four days later. In May 2025, Ngaba was charged with murder. Evidence showed Eliza would not have died from the infection had she not been left vulnerable by the earlier injuries.
Ngaba denied murder but was found guilty on May 21. She was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 12 years and 154 days. The judge noted the minimum would have been 19 years but subtracted time already served.
Police statement
Det Chief Insp Lee Holehouse from West Mercia Police said: 'This is an utterly heartbreaking case in which a young child suffered unimaginable and life-altering injuries at the hands of the very person who should have been her greatest protector.'
'Eliza endured the consequences of her mother's violence for the remainder of her tragically short life. The life sentence reflects the severity of the harm inflicted upon Eliza and the childhood cruelly taken away.'
