KIERON SOARES FROM WELLINGBOROUGH SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR INJURING BABY

A man named Kieron Soares, residing in Wellingborough, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars after being convicted of inflicting severe injuries on a young child. The incident, which took place in Wellingborough, prompted a swift and detailed investigation by local authorities and medical professionals.

On February 21, 2021, emergency services from the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) responded to a distress call reporting a baby in Wellingborough suspected of suffering from cardiac or respiratory failure. The situation was deemed critical enough that EMAS immediately contacted Northamptonshire Police to report the incident, given the severity and suspicious nature of the child's condition.

Upon arrival, paramedics examined the infant and discovered evidence of brain bleeds. Medical assessments confirmed that these injuries were non-accidental, indicating that the child had been harmed intentionally. The gravity of the injuries led investigators to suspect abuse, and the case quickly became a focus of a thorough criminal inquiry.

As part of the investigation, authorities arrested Kieron Soares, aged 33, who was then living in Wellingborough. He was formally charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, under Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act. The charge reflected the serious nature of the injuries inflicted on the baby and the suspicion that Soares’s actions were deliberate.

In December 2023, Soares appeared before a court to enter a plea of not guilty. The case proceeded to trial at Northampton Crown Court, where the evidence was presented over several days. On February 4, the jury returned a verdict of guilty against Soares. The court also noted an alternative count of grievous bodily harm without intent under Section 20 was to remain on file, indicating the possibility of a lesser charge if necessary.

Following the verdict, Soares was brought back to Northampton Crown Court on February 5 for sentencing. The judge sentenced him to ten years in prison, reflecting the seriousness of his crime and the impact on the vulnerable victim.

Commenting on the case, Detective Inspector Stuart Nichols of the Child Abuse Investigation Team expressed his relief and satisfaction with the outcome. He emphasized the distress caused by the incident and praised the meticulous investigation that uncovered the truth. Inspector Nichols highlighted the helplessness of infants and the importance of safeguarding children, stating, “This was a highly distressing incident, which led to a complex and thorough investigation to establish how this baby was injured. A baby is completely helpless and vulnerable, reliant on others to keep them safe and well. This is something Kieron Soares failed to do, instead inflicting injuries that could very easily have proved fatal.”

He further added, “Along with the child’s family and loved ones, I am very glad that this baby thankfully survived. Our team is dedicated to protecting children of all ages, and I am very pleased that we have secured justice for this baby and ensured the person who caused them such harm has been held accountable.”