KEN WILLIAMS AND CHRISTINE GREEN SENTENCED IN LONDON FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

In July 2003, a court in London sentenced Ken Williams and Christine Green for their roles in the abuse and neglect of a five-year-old girl named Annastacia Williams. The court sketch from May 2, 2003, at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) depicts the tragic case.

Annastacia, who was described as 'too beautiful,' was found dying from head injuries at the bottom of a staircase after arriving in Britain from Jamaica to live with her father, Williams, aged 31, and his new partner, Green, aged 25. She was also discovered to have a broken bone in her chest, a chipped bone in her arm, along with bruises and scratches.

The girl had hoped to find a better life in Islington, North London, but sadly died nine months later in September 2002 due to brain damage, which Green claimed was caused by a fall. Green, who had taunted and abused Annastacia—who called her 'mummy'—was sentenced to four years imprisonment for two counts of child cruelty. Williams, who also worked as a cleaner, received a two-year sentence for two counts of neglect related to failing to prevent the abuse.

Both were found guilty the previous week. The jury did not find Green guilty of murder but could not reach a verdict on manslaughter; that charge was ordered to lie on file. Prosecutor Richard Horwell told the court: "Green repeatedly said to Williams that Annastacia was too beautiful to be his child and suggested another man might be her father."

Nadine Richards, the wife of Williams’s cousin, testified that Annastacia called Green 'mummy.' Richards described seeing Green mistreat the girl after a week of good treatment. She witnessed Green brushing Annastacia’s teeth with excessive force, causing her to bleed, and pouring hot water on her face while the girl cried. Richards added that Annastacia was joyful when Williams or herself were present but became sad once Green was around.

Annastacia’s mother, Melissa Francis, confirmed that Williams was her child’s father. Green told the court that Annastacia had 'conked out' after falling downstairs and hitting her head on September 9, 2002. The girl died on September 13 after a life-support machine was turned off.

Post-mortem examinations revealed injuries resembling chicken pox scars, which were later identified as bruises from being forcefully gripped. A radiologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital noticed several injuries on X-rays, and after Annastacia’s body was exhumed a week after her burial, additional old injuries were uncovered.

Prosecutors argued that Williams was aware of the abuse but failed to protect his daughter. Judge Paul Focke recommended that both Green and Williams, who were illegal overstayers in the UK, be considered for deportation to Jamaica.