LIFE SENTENCE FOR DAREN BENNETT AND SARAH COLLINS IN BIRMINGHAM FOR TODDLER'S DEATH
In August 2005, Darren Bennett, a 26-year-old man from Birmingham, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend's 18-month-old daughter, Jordan.Birmingham Crown Court learned that Bennett inflicted a 'catastrophic' blow to Jordan’s skull last August, leading to her death.
Jordan’s mother, Sarah Collins, was acquitted of manslaughter but pleaded guilty to two counts of child cruelty, resulting in an 18-month jail sentence.
The judge ordered that Bennett, who had a prior conviction for child abuse, must serve a minimum of 24 years behind bars.
A jury comprising eight women and four men took nearly nine hours to reach a unanimous verdict on the murder charge.
Bennett was also convicted of three counts of child cruelty involving three young children, including Jordan, who died in hospital on 7 August 2004.
The court was told that Bennett had a criminal record, including a conviction in 2002 for assaulting a three-year-old girl who belonged to an ex-girlfriend.
His history of violence, which also included assaults on women, was used by the prosecution to strengthen their case.
Prosecutor Timothy Raggatt QC pointed out a 'common thread' in Bennett’s violent behavior.
Bennant denied causing Jordan’s death, claiming she suffered an epileptic fit after a fall down the stairs at the home he shared with Collins in south-east Birmingham.
During sentencing, Mrs Justice Cox remarked: 'I regard you as someone who poses a considerable danger to women and young children and from whom the public requires protection.
I’m satisfied that you deliberately inflicted upon her severe head injuries, most probably by gripping and vigorously shaking her and slamming her head against a hard surface to fracture her skull.' Outside court, Jordan’s father, Gary McGann, expressed his feelings, stating that he and his family were 'half-way happy' with the sentence and the minimum tariff set.
