STRATFORD WOMAN AGNIESZKA BARCENTEWICZ BLINDS THREE-MONTH-OLD BABY IN EAST LONDON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Stratford in east London, Agnieszka Barcentewicz, aged 29, was sentenced to three years in prison for inflicting severe injuries on a three-month-old girl. The incident, which occurred on April 18, 2010, resulted in the infant suffering catastrophic brain damage after being shaken multiple times by her caregiver.

According to court proceedings, the young girl, who is now two and a half years old, faces a grim prognosis. Medical experts have indicated that she is at an increased risk of sudden death during childhood and is expected to have a shorter-than-average lifespan due to the injuries sustained. The child's visual impairment is so severe that she is likely to need to be registered as blind, and her mental development is significantly delayed, with a mental age estimated at just six months.

Prosecutors detailed how Barcentewicz, after shaking the baby, abandoned her in the care of her then-boyfriend at their residence in Stratford. While the infant was left in his care, Barcentewicz reportedly left to meet an internet stranger for a sexual encounter, further highlighting her neglectful behavior. During police interviews, she initially claimed that she had fed the baby around 2 pm, then went to retrieve her mobile phone, which she had left at an Indian restaurant the night before. She also falsely stated that she went shopping for food, attempting to cover her tracks.

When the child's condition worsened, her boyfriend contacted emergency services, and the baby was rushed to a hospital. He also reached out to Barcentewicz, but she showed no apparent concern upon her arrival at the hospital. Medical professionals quickly identified that the injuries were non-accidental, prompting them to notify the police, as the court heard.

Initially, Barcentewicz was called as a witness after her boyfriend was arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm to the infant, who cannot be named for legal reasons. However, she later admitted to shaking the baby but attempted to justify her actions by claiming the child was crying after being dropped down a flight of stairs in a car seat—a story deemed highly improbable by the court.

On the first day of her trial, Barcentewicz pleaded guilty to charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm and perverting the course of justice. Her boyfriend also lied to police, claiming he heard the baby sobbing, which was later proven false.

Judge Timothy King, presiding over the case, emphasized the vulnerability of the victim, stating, “It is difficult to envisage a more vulnerable victim than a three-month-old child.” He recounted how medical staff observed life-threatening injuries upon the infant’s admission to the hospital, including severe internal brain bleeding and significant bleeding behind her eyes. The injuries were consistent with violent shaking, and the child was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital for urgent treatment.

The judge condemned Barcentewicz’s actions, noting her unemotional demeanor and lack of distress during her hospital visit. He stated that her explanation to police was implausible and dismissed her account of placing the baby in a car seat as highly unlikely. Her admission that she shook the child four or five times with the sole intent of stopping her crying was particularly grave, as it caused long-term injuries that threaten her future.

Judge King concluded that the severity of the offense warranted a custodial sentence, reflecting the seriousness of the harm inflicted on such a vulnerable victim. Throughout the proceedings, Barcentewicz was seen crying, dressed in a black shawl with her brown hair tied in a bun.

Prosecutor Sandy Canavan highlighted the tragic nature of the case, stating that the baby was born healthy and was developing normally until the day of the incident, which marked a drastic and tragic turn for the worse. She described the attack as a deliberate targeting of a helpless and vulnerable child.

In addition to her own conviction, the charge of grievous bodily harm with intent was formally laid against her boyfriend, who also lied to police about hearing the baby crying. The case underscores the devastating consequences of neglect and violence against infants in the Stratford area.