RICHARD GREEN AND NATALIE CRITCHLEY FROM PRESTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD'S DEATH

In July 2013, a tragic case unfolded in Preston involving the death of a three-year-old girl named Lia, whose father, Richard Green, was convicted of her manslaughter. Green, aged 23 at the time, was sentenced to seven years in prison for the brutal act that led to Lia’s death, but he is expected to serve only half of that sentence before being released on parole.

According to court proceedings, Green lost his temper and delivered a forceful blow to Lia’s stomach, an act driven by his resentment over caring for her alone. The court heard that Green was also harboring intense contempt for Lia’s mother, Natalie Critchley, 21, whom he suspected of having an affair. The combination of these emotional strains culminated in a violent outburst that proved fatal.

On August 30 of the previous year, Lia was taken from their family home on Norris Street in Preston to the hospital. Despite medical efforts, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. A post-mortem examination revealed that part of her bowel had been perforated, a direct result of the forceful blow inflicted upon her. The severity of the injury indicated that Green’s violence was immense, with the court noting that the force required to cause such damage was significant.

Judge Mr. Justice MacDuff addressed Green during sentencing, stating, “You lost all control. You hit, or perhaps kicked, Lia so violently that you caused the perforation of her duodenum. The force required to do that is immense.” The judge further condemned Green for his failure to call emergency services in the hours following the attack, describing his actions as “wickedness.”

Critchley, who was also involved in the aftermath, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for her role in neglecting to seek immediate medical help for Lia. The court heard that Critchley, instead of acting swiftly, joined Green in covering up the injuries, motivated by a misguided sense of loyalty to her partner rather than concern for her daughter. The judge criticized her for “playing roulette with her child’s life,” emphasizing that her failure to act could have cost Lia her life.

During the trial, it was revealed that Critchley had been involved in an affair with another man, a parent at the nursery where she worked as a nurse. She had lied to Green about her whereabouts, claiming to be attending pole-dancing lessons, to conceal her relationship. Green discovered the affair in the weeks leading up to Lia’s death, which added to the emotional turmoil and tension within the household.

After the ambulance was finally called, both Green and Critchley engaged in a series of lies to cover up the true cause of Lia’s injuries. One of the false stories they told was that Lia had fallen off a swing, a claim that was later proven false during investigations.

Legal representatives for the defendants provided context for their actions. Anthony Cross QC, defending Green, mentioned that Green’s violent tendencies might have stemmed from his own history of childhood abuse, which led to him being placed in care. Neil Flewitt QC, representing Critchley, expressed that her conviction did not diminish her grief over the loss of her child.

Both Green and Critchley are set to serve half of their respective sentences in custody, with the remainder on license, reflecting the seriousness of their crimes. Detective Superintendent Andy Murphy commented on the case, stating, “The sentences reflect the severity of the crimes committed but no punishment served will ever bring little Lia back. Both Richard Green and Natalie Critchley will have time to reflect on their actions, actions that led to the death of their own child.”

He also acknowledged the complexity of the investigation and expressed gratitude to the Crown Prosecution Service for their work. The case remains a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and neglect within a family setting in Preston.