BEN RAFTERY SENTENCED FOR LIFE IN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE AFTER BRUTAL MURDER OF TODDLER ROXIE

In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Ashton-under-Lyne, Ben Raftery has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of the murder of 23-month-old Roxie. The devastating incident occurred at the family home on Elizabeth Street, where Raftery, 21 years old at the time, inflicted fatal injuries on the young girl, leading to her untimely death.

Roxie, who was under the care of her mother, Sophie Archer, was subjected to a brutal assault that resulted in severe brain damage. The events unfolded on the night of March 9 last year, a night that would forever alter the lives of those involved. Sophie Archer, who was 22 years old at the time, had traveled to New York for a birthday celebration, leaving her daughter in the care of Raftery, her boyfriend. Upon her return to Manchester, she was devastated to find Roxie on life support, suffering from critical injuries that had been inflicted hours earlier.

The child's condition deteriorated rapidly, and after medical professionals determined her injuries were too severe to recover from, a decision was made to switch off her life support. Roxie succumbed to her injuries the following day at Tameside Hospital. The court heard that Raftery, who was not Roxie’s biological father, had initially convinced Sophie Archer to leave her daughter in his care, claiming he wanted to bond with her while she was away. However, over the course of several hours, Raftery reportedly assaulted Roxie with such ferocity that she sustained catastrophic brain injuries.

During the trial, Raftery denied the murder charge, claiming that Roxie had fallen down the stairs after a fall at a local McDonald's restaurant. He told the court that Roxie had suffered an injury after walking into a door, a story he also shared on Facebook. However, the jury quickly rejected his account, reaching a verdict of guilty after less than two hours of deliberation. The prosecution, led by Kate Blackwell QC, emphasized that Raftery’s actions were particularly heinous given Roxie’s age and vulnerability. They highlighted the breach of trust involved, as Raftery was supposed to be caring for the child, not causing her harm.

Raftery’s defense, represented by Ben Nolan QC, argued that he was immature and that the fatal attack was the result of a sudden flash of temper, possibly triggered by Roxie crying. Despite these claims, the judge, Mr. Justice Saunders, described the crime as “appalling,” noting the brutality of the assault and the devastating impact on Roxie’s family. He expressed sympathy for the family’s suffering and acknowledged the emotional trauma experienced by the jury.

Further details revealed that Raftery had altered the story he told Roxie’s grandmother, claiming she had been injured at a McDonald's after walking into a door. This false account was also posted on social media. In reality, Raftery had called emergency services at 00:30 GMT, claiming Roxie had fallen down the stairs after leaving a stair gate open. The injuries Roxie sustained included extensive bruising, retinal hemorrhages, and brain damage, which ultimately led to her death.

In his sentencing remarks, Mr. Justice Saunders condemned Raftery’s actions as “an appalling crime,” emphasizing the severity of the violence inflicted upon a vulnerable toddler. He stated that Raftery’s conduct involved multiple hard blows that caused catastrophic brain injury, from which Roxie could not recover. Outside the court, Sophie Archer described Raftery as an “evil, controlling murderer,” expressing her grief and outrage at the loss of her young daughter. The community of Ashton-under-Lyne continues to mourn the tragic loss of Roxie, and her memory remains a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence against children.