Father Described as 'Hysterical' Following Infant Daughter's Tragic Death
Stafford Crown Court has heard emotional testimony describing how a father became 'hysterical' and repeatedly apologised after learning his five-week-old baby daughter had died from catastrophic injuries. Sean Jefferson, 35, allegedly said 'sorry' multiple times when medical professionals informed him they could not save his newborn daughter, Darcy-Leigh Jefferson.
Parents Face Multiple Serious Charges
Both Sean Jefferson and the baby's mother, Amy Clarke, 34, stand accused of murdering their infant daughter, who prosecutors allege suffered extensive physical abuse before her death in hospital on March 29, 2022. The couple deny all charges against them, which include murder, manslaughter, causing or allowing Darcy-Leigh's death, grievous bodily harm with intent, and child cruelty.
Prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC told jurors during his opening statement that 'when Jefferson was told, he became hysterical' and repeatedly said 'sorry' to medical staff and to Clarke. The court heard how both defendants appeared visibly upset following the tragic news about their daughter's condition.
Catastrophic Injuries Revealed in Court
Medical evidence presented to the court indicates that Darcy-Leigh Jefferson died from a catastrophic brain injury that prosecutors claim was inflicted by one or both parents. The premature baby, who weighed just 4lbs at birth, also sustained 47 rib fractures and fractures to both legs, injuries that medical experts suggest resulted from violent shaking, compression, and twisting.
Mr Sandhu explained to the jury that the brain injury could have been caused by 'violently shaking' the infant or by her head striking a hard surface. The extensive rib fractures are believed to have occurred when her chest was tightly squeezed with considerable force, while the leg fractures may have resulted from pulling, twisting, or violent shaking of her body.
Emergency Response and Hospital Treatment
The court heard detailed accounts of the events leading to Darcy-Leigh's hospitalisation. Sean Jefferson dialled 999 just before 7.20am on March 27, 2022, reporting that his daughter had suddenly stopped breathing after coughing and producing nasal discharge. Paramedics arrived within eight minutes to find the infant lifeless and without a pulse, with one paramedic noting that she appeared to have been without a heartbeat for some time based on her skin appearance.
Jefferson accompanied his daughter by ambulance to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton, where medical staff observed him to be extremely distressed. Clarke did not travel in the ambulance but instead went to the hospital with police officers. Hospital scans subsequently revealed a massive brain bleed, high intracranial pressure, and a healing rib fracture that suggested previous injury.
Medical Experts Provide Crucial Evidence
Prosecutors presented evidence from multiple medical specialists who concluded that Darcy-Leigh's injuries resulted from non-accidental trauma. The infant displayed bleeding to her spinal column and extensive retinal hemorrhages, both consistent with abusive head trauma from violent shaking. Medical experts noted that the force required to cause such injuries would be comparable to that experienced in high-speed collisions or significant falls.
Mr Sandhu told the court that 'the experts found that Darcy did not have any medical conditions which would explain her death' and that she died specifically because of a traumatic head injury inflicted upon her. The brain damage occurred shortly before her collapse and would have caused rapid deterioration in her condition.
Parents' Accounts and Legal Proceedings
Both defendants maintain their innocence, with their legal teams expected to argue that they are not responsible for any of their daughter's injuries or her tragic death. The prosecution emphasised that neither parent has identified any alternative explanation for the extensive injuries sustained by their infant daughter.
The complex investigation involved numerous medical specialists and took considerable time to complete due to the severity and nature of the injuries. The trial continues at Stafford Crown Court as jurors hear further evidence in this deeply distressing case involving the death of a vulnerable five-week-old infant.
