TRAGIC CROWBOROUGH BABY MURDERER MICHAEL ROE AND ALLOWING MOTHER TIFFANY TATE SENTENCED

In a heartbreaking case that has shocked the community of Crowborough, a man named Michael Roe has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his eight-week-old daughter, Holly. The tragic events unfolded in September 2018, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse and neglect that culminated in the infant’s death.

Michael Roe, aged 33 at the time, was found guilty of shaking his premature daughter Holly to death. The court heard that Roe had been engaging in reckless behavior, including watching pornography and smoking cannabis in his shed, which contributed to his violent actions. The jury also determined that Roe had inflicted multiple injuries on Holly prior to her death, including brain injuries sustained on at least three separate occasions and twelve fractured ribs. These injuries were severe enough to cause her death, which was ultimately attributed to traumatic head injury.

The court proceedings revealed that Holly was born prematurely in July 2018, and her fragile health made her particularly vulnerable. Despite her condition, her mother, Tiffany Tate, 22 years old at the time, was accused of turning a blind eye to the abuse and neglect that her daughter endured. Tate, who had recently left care and was only 19 when Holly was born, was found guilty of allowing or causing the child’s death. The court heard that she had difficulty bonding with Holly during her time in the neonatal unit and after her return home. Witnesses described her frustration and panic when Holly cried, and it was noted that she lacked the patience to care for her.

On the night of Holly’s death, Tate reportedly woke Roe at 1:30 am, saying, “Holly’s cold, she’s not breathing.” Emergency services were called immediately, and paramedics found Holly unresponsive, cold, and with no heartbeat. Despite their efforts to revive her, Holly was rushed to Pembury Hospital in Tunbridge Wells, where she was pronounced dead. The post-mortem examination confirmed that her death was caused by a traumatic head injury, with additional injuries including multiple rib fractures.

During the trial, the court was told that Roe’s behavior was shameful and that he had attempted to shift blame onto Tate, despite evidence that he knew he had seriously harmed Holly before her death. Mr. Justice Edward Murray condemned Roe’s actions, describing his conduct as a betrayal of the highest trust and emphasizing that Roe had intended to cause serious harm to his daughter. The judge pointed out that Roe’s lies and attempts to deflect blame persisted through three separate trials, which had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roe’s sentencing was delivered with a minimum term of 19 years before he could be considered for parole, reflecting the gravity of his crime. Meanwhile, Tiffany Tate received a sentence of two years and nine months for her role in allowing Holly’s death. Both defendants showed no visible emotion as they were led away, with Roe staring straight ahead and Tate fidgeting in her seat. The court’s verdict underscored the tragic consequences of neglect and abuse, highlighting the devastating impact on a vulnerable infant and the failure of her caregivers to protect her.

This case has left a lasting scar on the Crowborough community, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and intervention in cases of child abuse and neglect. The tragic loss of Holly Roe has prompted calls for increased awareness and preventative measures to safeguard children from similar fates in the future.