OMAR HAYES SHAKEN BLACKPOOL GIRL TO DEATH AFTER EARLIER GBH SENTENCE
In a tragic case that spanned over four years, the death of five-year-old Sophie Smith from Blackpool has been linked to injuries inflicted by her biological father, Omar Hayes.The inquest, held in July 2004, revealed that Sophie succumbed to complications arising from injuries sustained when she was just four months old.
Born prematurely, Sophie initially appeared to lead a relatively normal life.
However, her condition deteriorated after a violent incident involving her father, Omar Hayes, who was 18 at the time.
Hayes had previously admitted to causing grievous bodily harm in January 2000, for which he was sentenced to 18 months in youth custody.
The injuries inflicted at that time resulted in Sophie developing cerebral palsy, a condition that significantly affected her mobility and overall health.
The inquest heard that Sophie was not expected to survive long after her injuries, and she was placed in foster care with the Smith family in 2002.
Philip and Samantha Smith, who later adopted her, described her as a “feisty and a real fighter,” emphasizing her resilience despite her fragile health.
Remarkably, Sophie defied the odds and lived until the age of five, a testament to the care and love she received from her adoptive parents.
Coroner Anne Hind explained that the inquest was conducted four years after Sophie’s death to formally close the case following an extensive police investigation.
The cause of death was determined to be broncho pneumonia, which was caused by chronic aspiration of her gastric contents—a condition consistent with previous head injuries.
Mrs.
Hind stated that the two coroners who examined Sophie’s body were unanimous in their conclusion that her death was directly attributable to the injuries caused by her father’s shaking of her five years earlier.
The case was complicated by recent changes in the law.
Previously, a victim had to die within a year and a day of sustaining injuries for the perpetrator to be tried for manslaughter.
Hayes had already served his sentence when Sophie died, but due to the legal change, the Crown Prosecution Service re-opened the case.
After consultation with the Attorney General, it was decided that pursuing a new prosecution was not in the public interest, as the CPS concluded that Hayes’s original 18-month sentence was comparable to what he might have received if charged with manslaughter today.
Throughout the proceedings, Mrs.
Hind paid tribute to Philip and Samantha Smith for their unwavering love and dedication to Sophie.
She expressed her admiration for their quiet heroism, stating, “I can’t tell you how much I admire you for the quiet heroism you show in bringing hope and happiness to the children you foster.
Sophie had the worst possible start in life, but you made sure she had the best possible end.”
