A Birmingham mother who failed to seek medical help for her seriously ill 12-year-old son, who later died, told a court she believed she was acting in his best interests. Tamara Thomas, 46, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison this week after being found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter. Her husband, Damion Thomas, 48, was jailed for two years and nine months for child cruelty.
Joshua's final hours
Joshua collapsed at their home in Kings Heath on December 9, 2022, and died the following day at Birmingham Children's Hospital. A trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard that the boy was so weak he could not reach the toilet at 4am. Damion helped him and considered that he might need to go to hospital later that day. Tamara noticed how skinny he was when he lifted his top, and both parents had observed that he had been drinking more fluids, was thirstier, and had been urinating more often in the week before his death.
Despite these warning signs, Damion left for work at 7.30am as usual, while Joshua was helped downstairs and onto the sofa by a sibling. Tamara eventually called 999 at 12.43pm after Joshua became unresponsive, but he never regained consciousness and died in the early hours of the following day.
Cause of death: untreated diabetes
The cause of death was untreated and undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes, which led to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition requiring urgent treatment. Damion himself had diabetes, a tragic irony that meant they should have been well aware of the symptoms Joshua was showing.
Tamara, who represented herself after sacking her lawyers, told the court: "There is no doubt I loved my son and thought I was acting in his best interests. The conduct was a one-off. Prior to this, I had shown a great deal of diligence, ensuring the children received appropriate healthcare and professional support." She also said losing her home and suffering "public shame and outrage" was a "powerful deterrent" in itself.
Judge criticises 'we know best' attitude
Mrs Justice Cutts, sentencing the pair, stated that the couple's "we know best" attitude towards others trying to help had tragic consequences. She said: "You as a family were inward-looking, self-reliant and reluctant to look elsewhere for assistance. You were distrustful of others, perceiving slights when none existed and believing you knew best. You didn't seek help when it was obviously needed. You had a hostile attitude to those who tried to give it. That attitude had tragic consequences."
Tamara denied having a "don't care" attitude and told the court she had initially saved Joshua's life by giving him CPR. Gillian Jones KC, representing Damion Thomas, confirmed he had lost his home and job and was struggling to find work. She stated he was remorseful and had made "substantial steps forward" since. Ms Jones added: "He was a nurturing and loving father. He cared for Joshua greatly. It's without doubt he's devastated and without doubt he is going to live with the outcome of that judgement he made for the rest of his life."
Impact and sentencing
Justice Cutts said both parents were articulate and intelligent but their distrust of others had led to the "entirely preventable" tragedy. Tamara Thomas was sentenced to three years and nine months for gross negligence manslaughter, while Damion Thomas received two years and nine months for child cruelty.
