PARIS MAYO SENTENCED FOR MURDER OF NEWBORN IN ROSS-ON-WYE
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Ross-on-Wye Sexual Abuser
In June 2023, a tragic and disturbing case unfolded in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, culminating in the conviction and sentencing of Paris Mayo, a 19-year-old woman, for the murder of her newborn son. The events revealed a shocking sequence of actions that shocked the local community and drew widespread media attention.
According to court proceedings, Mayo, who was only 15 at the time of the birth, had given birth unexpectedly in her family home in Ross-on-Wye. She believed she was experiencing typical period pains and had taken a warm bath, unaware that she was in labor. The birth occurred in the living room while her mother was upstairs attending to her sick father. The newborn, named Stanley, was born full-term or nearly full-term on the night of March 23, 2019.
Tragically, Mayo's actions following the birth led to the child's death. It was established that she assaulted the infant, possibly using her foot to cause a skull fracture, and then attempted to suffocate him by stuffing cotton wool balls into his throat. This act was carried out after she realized that Stanley was still alive, despite her initial efforts to end his life. The post-mortem examination revealed that Stanley had suffocated due to a piece of cotton wool blocking his oesophagus, which had been forced so deeply down his neck that it was only discovered during the autopsy.
The medical investigation also uncovered evidence of severe head injuries. Stanley had two large, complex fractures on either side of his skull, consistent with blunt-force trauma inflicted from opposite sides, possibly from being stepped on or struck with force. The injuries were classified as non-accidental, indicating deliberate harm. A neonatologist testified that with prompt medical intervention, Stanley might have survived, but the injuries were ultimately fatal.
Following the incident, Mayo sent a message to her older brother, asking him to dispose of a black bin bag, claiming it was filled with sick from the previous night. Her mother, upon inspecting the bag, was horrified to find the tiny body of her grandson inside. She immediately called emergency services, and a distressing 999 call captured her sobs and retching as she described the scene. During the call, she revealed that her daughter had given birth the night before without her knowledge and that she initially thought the baby was dead.
In the recorded call, Mayo’s mother expressed her anguish and confusion, repeatedly asking her daughter why she hadn’t told her about the birth. She described how she found the baby cold and stiff, wrapped in a sheet, and noted that he showed no signs of life when paramedics arrived. Mayo was present at the scene, sitting with her mother and holding the baby, who was unresponsive. She claimed she was unaware she was pregnant and that the baby had “just popped out,” hoping her mother would mistake him for rubbish and discard him.
During the journey to the hospital, Mayo was heard asking if she was at fault, repeatedly saying, “Is it my fault? Did I do this?” and later, “It’s my fault, it’s my fault.” At the hospital, a police officer overheard her expressing her hatred for the newborn’s cry. The court heard that Mayo had no recollection of her pregnancy, and she believed the birth was sudden and unplanned.
The court proceedings detailed the circumstances of the birth and the subsequent injuries inflicted on Stanley. The forensic evidence confirmed that the injuries were inflicted intentionally, with the skull fractures resulting from blunt-force trauma. The autopsy findings indicated that Stanley’s death was caused by suffocation due to the cotton wool obstruction, compounded by the head injuries.
In her defense, Mayo claimed she was panicking after the birth and that she used cotton wool to clean up what she thought was bodily fluids. She insisted she did not shove her fingers down the baby’s throat or intentionally cause harm, stating she was overwhelmed and did not know what else to do in her panic. However, the court found her actions to be deliberate and concluded that her conduct was criminally culpable.
Mr. Justice Garnham sentenced Mayo to a minimum of 12 years in prison, describing her actions as “a truly dreadful thing to do” and emphasizing the vulnerability of a newborn at the time of birth. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Ross-on-Wye, highlighting the tragic consequences of unrecognized pregnancy and the importance of mental health support for young women in crisis.
According to court proceedings, Mayo, who was only 15 at the time of the birth, had given birth unexpectedly in her family home in Ross-on-Wye. She believed she was experiencing typical period pains and had taken a warm bath, unaware that she was in labor. The birth occurred in the living room while her mother was upstairs attending to her sick father. The newborn, named Stanley, was born full-term or nearly full-term on the night of March 23, 2019.
Tragically, Mayo's actions following the birth led to the child's death. It was established that she assaulted the infant, possibly using her foot to cause a skull fracture, and then attempted to suffocate him by stuffing cotton wool balls into his throat. This act was carried out after she realized that Stanley was still alive, despite her initial efforts to end his life. The post-mortem examination revealed that Stanley had suffocated due to a piece of cotton wool blocking his oesophagus, which had been forced so deeply down his neck that it was only discovered during the autopsy.
The medical investigation also uncovered evidence of severe head injuries. Stanley had two large, complex fractures on either side of his skull, consistent with blunt-force trauma inflicted from opposite sides, possibly from being stepped on or struck with force. The injuries were classified as non-accidental, indicating deliberate harm. A neonatologist testified that with prompt medical intervention, Stanley might have survived, but the injuries were ultimately fatal.
Following the incident, Mayo sent a message to her older brother, asking him to dispose of a black bin bag, claiming it was filled with sick from the previous night. Her mother, upon inspecting the bag, was horrified to find the tiny body of her grandson inside. She immediately called emergency services, and a distressing 999 call captured her sobs and retching as she described the scene. During the call, she revealed that her daughter had given birth the night before without her knowledge and that she initially thought the baby was dead.
In the recorded call, Mayo’s mother expressed her anguish and confusion, repeatedly asking her daughter why she hadn’t told her about the birth. She described how she found the baby cold and stiff, wrapped in a sheet, and noted that he showed no signs of life when paramedics arrived. Mayo was present at the scene, sitting with her mother and holding the baby, who was unresponsive. She claimed she was unaware she was pregnant and that the baby had “just popped out,” hoping her mother would mistake him for rubbish and discard him.
During the journey to the hospital, Mayo was heard asking if she was at fault, repeatedly saying, “Is it my fault? Did I do this?” and later, “It’s my fault, it’s my fault.” At the hospital, a police officer overheard her expressing her hatred for the newborn’s cry. The court heard that Mayo had no recollection of her pregnancy, and she believed the birth was sudden and unplanned.
The court proceedings detailed the circumstances of the birth and the subsequent injuries inflicted on Stanley. The forensic evidence confirmed that the injuries were inflicted intentionally, with the skull fractures resulting from blunt-force trauma. The autopsy findings indicated that Stanley’s death was caused by suffocation due to the cotton wool obstruction, compounded by the head injuries.
In her defense, Mayo claimed she was panicking after the birth and that she used cotton wool to clean up what she thought was bodily fluids. She insisted she did not shove her fingers down the baby’s throat or intentionally cause harm, stating she was overwhelmed and did not know what else to do in her panic. However, the court found her actions to be deliberate and concluded that her conduct was criminally culpable.
Mr. Justice Garnham sentenced Mayo to a minimum of 12 years in prison, describing her actions as “a truly dreadful thing to do” and emphasizing the vulnerability of a newborn at the time of birth. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Ross-on-Wye, highlighting the tragic consequences of unrecognized pregnancy and the importance of mental health support for young women in crisis.