JASON REDGRAVE FROM GRIMSBY AND LINCOLN JAILED OVER BABY ETHAN'S DEATH IN CLEETHORPES

In a tragic case that has shocked the communities of Grimsby, Lincoln, and Cleethorpes, Jason Redgrave, a 25-year-old man, was convicted of manslaughter in connection with the death of six-month-old Ethan. The incident occurred on 17 December 2011, while Redgrave was babysitting Ethan, who was under his care at the time. The court heard that Redgrave, who was asked to look after Ethan by his then-girlfriend, the child's mother, had previously been considered good with the boy and had helped her care for him on multiple occasions.

However, during the trial at Hull Crown Court, prosecutors presented evidence that painted a disturbing picture of the events leading to Ethan’s death. It was alleged that Redgrave, frustrated by Ethan’s crying which interrupted a text conversation, had shaken the infant violently. The injuries sustained by Ethan were severe and included a pull on his spinal cord, bleeding in the brain, and multiple bruises on his face, scalp, and between his eyes. The injuries also involved four areas of blunt-force trauma, with bruising on his face consistent with a slap and bleeding between his brain and skull, as well as bleeding in both retinas, indicating he had been shaken or hit with significant force.

Tragically, Ethan succumbed to his injuries and died in hospital on 22 December 2011, just three days before Christmas. The court was told that the injuries were not consistent with an accidental fall or minor mishap but rather suggested deliberate harm. Despite the gravity of the injuries, the jury at Hull Crown Court cleared Redgrave of murder, concluding that he did not intend to kill Ethan. Instead, he was found guilty of manslaughter.

Throughout the trial, Redgrave was visibly distressed. He wept uncontrollably and bawled after being convicted, so much so that the judge had to delay sentencing. His emotional outburst continued as he refused to stand when the court proceedings concluded, and he appeared overwhelmed by the verdict. The public gallery was filled with gasps when the judge, Sir David Clarke, sentenced Redgrave to eight years in prison. The family of Ethan had hoped for a murder conviction and a longer sentence, but the court’s decision reflected the jury’s conclusion that Redgrave’s actions, while reckless, did not amount to murder.

During the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Hibbit from Humberside Police emphasized that Redgrave failed to provide a credible explanation for Ethan’s severe head injuries. He pointed out that the injuries were inconsistent with any accidental cause and suggested deliberate harm. The judge acknowledged the profound tragedy of losing a young life and expressed sympathy for Ethan’s family, noting that the loss leaves a lasting scar and that the family will forever wonder what exactly happened.

In a heartfelt statement, Ethan’s mother shared her grief, saying, “Ethan will always be remembered with a cheeky smile and personality. Never a moment goes by that I don’t think about him or cherish each and every memory.”

By December 2015, Jason Redgrave had been released from prison after serving his sentence. However, in June 2016, it was reported that he was using the dating website ‘Plenty of Fish’ under a false name, raising concerns about his attempts to move on from the tragic events in Cleethorpes.