Monstrous couple left baby disabled before searching 'can I get done for abusing' a child

Get the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Join us on WhatsApp

A monsterous couple who left a baby severely disabled were searching 'can I get done for abusing', a court has heard.

Tom Kember, 27, and Katherine Reilly, 25, have been found guilty of causing catastrophic injuries to the infant, equivalent to those seen after a high-speed car crash or a fall from significant height.

Bristol Crown Court was told that searches made by Kember included "what happend if u hit a baby's face".

The baby girl involved had been born prematurely in 2019. Within ten days of released from hospital, on January 14, 2020, she was discovered unresponsive at an address in Taunton, Somerset. Paramedics noticed bruising to her temples upon arrival and shared their worries with the staff at Musgrove Park Hospital.

The court heard how Kember and Reilly had disappeared from the hospital whilst the infant was still receiving medical attention, and were packing away her belongings. Jurors heard about Kember's internet searches on January 12, including for "what happens if you hit a baby's face" and "can a baby be sick if it gets hit".

On January 13, while at a fast-food outlet alongside Reilly and the child, Kember's phone was used to look up "if baby hits its head does the baby sleep a lot". Alarmingly, it wasn’t until 1.20am on January 14 that Kember phoned the 111 service, reports the Mirror.

On that day at 6.10am, Kember searched for "can I get done for abusing ... baby" - the prosecution argued this was a mistyped search for "can I get done for abusing baby".

The jury heard that on January 12, 2020, Kember searched online for "what happens if you hit a baby's face" and "can a baby be sick if it gets hit". Kember was convicted of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and Reilly of child cruelty at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday.

Judge Julian Lambert described the act in court as "monstrous". Kember has been remanded in custody and Reilly bailed pending sentence, currently scheduled for January 24, 2025.

The child, now four, has been adopted by the foster parents who have been caring for her since she was four months old and in hospital. The traumatic brain injury has left her non-verbal, with significant visual impairment, multiple daily seizures and other complex needs.

Detective Chief Inspector Roger Doxsey, who led the investigation, said: "This has been a distressing case for all involved. A helpless baby has been abused by adults who were more concerned with avoiding the consequences of their actions than with seeking medical help for her."

"It is tragic to reflect that having been born at 31 weeks she was readmitted to hospital with these terrible injuries before her due date. I would like to pay tribute to the medical staff who helped to ensure this little girl's remarkable survival, and the family who are now providing her with such love and care."

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.