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Harper Denton death: Father Kevin Eves jailed for baby's murder | Harper Denton death: Father Kevin Eves jailed for baby's murder |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A man convicted of murdering his eight-week-old daughter, 13 years after he seriously injured another child, has been jailed for life. | A man convicted of murdering his eight-week-old daughter, 13 years after he seriously injured another child, has been jailed for life. |
Kevin Eves, of Wixams, near Bedford, smothered Harper Denton and left her with numerous fractures, including one to her skull, in June 2018. | Kevin Eves, of Wixams, near Bedford, smothered Harper Denton and left her with numerous fractures, including one to her skull, in June 2018. |
The 37-year-old was jailed in 2006 for assaulting a toddler in his care, the Old Bailey heard. | The 37-year-old was jailed in 2006 for assaulting a toddler in his care, the Old Bailey heard. |
He has been ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years. | He has been ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years. |
During his trial, Eves, of Nightingale Court, told the jury he awoke to find Harper purple and cold to the touch, claiming her injuries - 34 rib fractures and a fractured skull - were caused by his attempts to resuscitate her. | During his trial, Eves, of Nightingale Court, told the jury he awoke to find Harper purple and cold to the touch, claiming her injuries - 34 rib fractures and a fractured skull - were caused by his attempts to resuscitate her. |
However, jurors heard the fractures were inflicted during at least three separate assaults in the weeks before her death. | However, jurors heard the fractures were inflicted during at least three separate assaults in the weeks before her death. |
Eves was jailed for nine years in 2006 - when known as Forbes - for causing grievous bodily harm with intent and wilfully assaulting a toddler in his care when living in Bournemouth. He was released in 2010. | Eves was jailed for nine years in 2006 - when known as Forbes - for causing grievous bodily harm with intent and wilfully assaulting a toddler in his care when living in Bournemouth. He was released in 2010. |
The boy suffered life-threatening head injuries and fractures to his elbow. | The boy suffered life-threatening head injuries and fractures to his elbow. |
Prosecutor Sally Howes QC said the assault was "so similar" to the one that killed Harper. | Prosecutor Sally Howes QC said the assault was "so similar" to the one that killed Harper. |
'Uncontrolled rage' | 'Uncontrolled rage' |
The prosecution said Harper's mother, Cherinea Denton, who was acquitted of her daughter's murder, was aware Eves had a previous conviction but believed his account that it was connected to a fight at a house party. | The prosecution said Harper's mother, Cherinea Denton, who was acquitted of her daughter's murder, was aware Eves had a previous conviction but believed his account that it was connected to a fight at a house party. |
Sentencing Eves, Mrs Justice O'Farrell said the "protracted and escalating violent attacks" he carried out on Harper were "cruel, brutal and vicious". | Sentencing Eves, Mrs Justice O'Farrell said the "protracted and escalating violent attacks" he carried out on Harper were "cruel, brutal and vicious". |
"Unfortunately you did not have the instincts to protect and nurture that most parents have," she added. | "Unfortunately you did not have the instincts to protect and nurture that most parents have," she added. |
"You were insensitive to the fragility of your baby and you were unable or unwilling to put her needs before your own comfort. You had uncontrolled rage." | "You were insensitive to the fragility of your baby and you were unable or unwilling to put her needs before your own comfort. You had uncontrolled rage." |
Ms Denton, who suffers from chronic fatigue, was not present in court but said in a victim statement: "My beautiful girl had her future stolen from her by somebody that she should have been able to trust and count on for the whole duration of her life - a life that should have lasted longer than eight weeks." | |
Harper's grandmother, Debbie Denton, said the loss of the "loved and adored" child "shook this family to its core". | |
"Mr Eves serves no purpose within a tight-knit family and certainly not amongst children. Had we known this, he would have never been welcomed into ours." | |
'Horrific injuries' | 'Horrific injuries' |
After the sentencing, Colin Foster, director of children's services at Bedford Borough Council, said a serious case review was being carried out. | After the sentencing, Colin Foster, director of children's services at Bedford Borough Council, said a serious case review was being carried out. |
"The Eves family were not known to social services in Bedford Borough and the authority was not made aware of the previous convictions," a statement said. | "The Eves family were not known to social services in Bedford Borough and the authority was not made aware of the previous convictions," a statement said. |
Det Insp Dani Bailey, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "Baby Harper suffered immensely in her short life at the hands of the person who should have been protecting and looking after her. | Det Insp Dani Bailey, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "Baby Harper suffered immensely in her short life at the hands of the person who should have been protecting and looking after her. |
"The injuries she sustained were horrific and the fact they were deliberate is even more shocking." | "The injuries she sustained were horrific and the fact they were deliberate is even more shocking." |
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