KIMBERLEY DAVISON FROM GATESHEAD WORKS AT TOYS R US DESPITE CRUEL CHILD ABUSE CONVICTION

In a shocking revelation, Kimberley Davison, a woman from Gateshead with a disturbing criminal past, was found working at the MetroCentre branch of Toys R Us, a major toy retailer in Britain. Despite her history of cruelty towards a young child, she managed to secure employment at the store for approximately two months before her true background was uncovered.

Davison was convicted in December 2013 of inflicting severe injuries on a toddler, which resulted in lifelong disabilities. A Newcastle Crown Court judge sentenced her to two and a half years in prison after hearing how she had violently thrown the defenseless child around, including tossing the infant like a 'sack of potatoes.' The court heard that the child suffered fractures across multiple parts of its tiny body, including the left thigh, lower left leg, upper right arm, left tibia, right femur, and other bones, as well as a spinal compression. These injuries occurred over a period of about a month during the summer of 2009.

Judge Michael Cartlidge described Davison’s actions as cruel, emphasizing the severity of the injuries and the child's subsequent lifelong impairments. The court was told that the child now walks with an unusual gait, requires special boots, and faces a future marked by disability. A hospital doctor who examined the child remarked that such severe injuries on a child still alive are exceedingly rare, underscoring the brutality of the abuse.

During the sentencing, Judge Cartlidge stated, “This child was subjected to some terrible injuries, this defendant was cruel. They were very serious injuries and if she had gone to the doctors sooner, the child might have been walking properly today.” The judge also noted that the injuries suggest ongoing abuse, and although Davison did not accept responsibility for all the harm, the evidence pointed to a period of sustained cruelty.

Kimberley Davison, now 24, of Coverdale, Leam Lane, Gateshead, admitted to three counts of child cruelty, including assault, neglecting to protect the child, and failing to seek medical help. The injuries were inflicted over roughly a month in the summer of 2009.

Unaware of her criminal background, Toys R Us employed Davison after she submitted an application form claiming she had no criminal record. The store’s management was unaware of her past until a staff member recognized her and raised concerns. Once her history was discovered, she was immediately dismissed. A store source expressed shock, saying, “She had been working there for two months before a staff member realised who she was and what she had done. The staff member raised the issue with management, and once they discovered her past, she was sacked on the spot because she had lied on her application form. It shocked everyone to the core to find out someone like that had been working there, she had appeared quite normal.”

Mike Coogan, the marketing director of Toys R Us, stated, “This is the first time we have had an incident of this kind in the 29 years we have been around. Our record in this area is very good, and we go to great lengths to make sure we employ appropriate people. When we employed the lady, we got references and she filled out an application form which stated she did not have a criminal record. Once we found out about the situation, we took action immediately.” He also clarified that staff are not routinely CRB checked unless there is suspicion, adding, “It isn’t done unless we suspect anything.”

Shoppers and members of the public expressed their shock outside the Gateshead store upon learning of Davison’s employment history, highlighting concerns about background checks and safeguarding measures in retail employment, especially in stores dealing with children.