GOSPORT COUPLE ROXANNE DAVIS AND SAMUEL DAVIES SENTENCED FOR BABY'S DEATH IN HORRIFIC CASE

In a tragic and disturbing case that has shocked the community of Gosport, Hampshire, a young couple has been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after being found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a three-week-old infant named Stanley Davis. The heartbreaking events unfolded over a period marked by violence, neglect, and substance abuse, culminating in the infant’s death from a severe head injury.

Stanley Davis was born on March 4, 2017, and his brief life was marred by repeated injuries and neglect. The young baby suffered from a fractured skull and a brain hemorrhage, which ultimately led to his death in Portsmouth’s Queen Alexandra Hospital on March 28, 2017, at just 24 days old. Prior to his death, Stanley had been admitted to the hospital on multiple occasions, suffering from 32 fractured ribs and nine fractures to his arms and legs, injuries that were discovered during separate hospital visits. These injuries painted a grim picture of ongoing abuse and neglect that went unnoticed or unaddressed by those responsible for his care.

Roxanne Davis, aged 30, and her then-partner Samuel Davies, aged 24, both from Gosport, were tried at Winchester Crown Court. Following a lengthy trial, they were both convicted of causing or allowing Stanley’s death. The judge, Jane Miller QC, sentenced each of them to ten years in prison, emphasizing their shared culpability in the brutal and tragic demise of the infant. Judge Miller described the injuries inflicted on Stanley as “excruciatingly painful,” suggesting that he was subjected to violent acts such as being swung and thrown on at least three separate occasions. She further explained that at one point, Stanley was squeezed so tightly that his ribs would have touched his spine, illustrating the severity of the abuse.

During the sentencing, the judge characterized Roxanne Davis as the “dominant partner,” who treated her baby as a “fashion accessory,” indicating a disturbing level of detachment and neglect. She also noted that Davis was “equally culpable” in the death, while also stating that Samuel Davies was “never controlled” by Davis, implying a complex dynamic of influence and responsibility. The court heard that Stanley’s death was the result of a combination of injuries, including a fractured skull and a brain hemorrhage, which led to his death in hospital. Prior to this, he had been admitted to the hospital on three separate occasions, suffering from multiple fractures, including 32 ribs and additional injuries to his arms and legs.

Prosecutors highlighted that both Davis and Davies tested positive for cocaine and cannabis following their arrest on March 21, 2017, the day police raided their flat in Garland Court. The baby was taken into custody that same day, and he died a week later. The court was told that the couple’s drug use and volatile temper contributed significantly to their inability to care for Stanley properly. Judge Miller condemned their “irresponsible” use of drugs during parenthood and described their frequent arguments, which sometimes turned violent, as a factor that exacerbated the situation.

Police investigations revealed the shocking extent of Stanley’s injuries. The infant had sustained 32 fractured ribs, nine fractures in his arms and legs, and an 8cm skull fracture. Witnesses and medical professionals testified that the injuries appeared non-accidental and that the couple’s behavior was marked by violence and deception. A neighbor had called police on March 11, 2017, after hearing screaming and sounds that resembled someone falling down stairs, indicating ongoing distress and possible abuse in the household.

During the trial, Samuel Davies claimed that Stanley was cared for by him, his mother, and her family, asserting that the baby was “passed around like a parcel” from day two. Meanwhile, Roxanne Davis expressed her devastation over her son’s death, crying and shouting “no… he killed my baby… he murdered my little baby” as she was led from the courtroom. An independent review has been commissioned by the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Board to examine how professionals handled Stanley’s case and whether there were missed opportunities to prevent the tragedy.

Further evidence presented in court included a photograph taken by Davies of a newspaper article about a mother who had taken her dead baby onto a bus to avoid detection, which was seen as a disturbing indication of the couple’s awareness of the severity of their situation. Additionally, Davis posted a Facebook video on March 20, 2017, showing Stanley having a fit, with a comment questioning whether a 16-day-old baby should be exhibiting such symptoms. This was just days before Stanley was taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Throughout the trial, the court heard about the couple’s frequent arguments, drug use, and neglectful behavior. Text messages between Davis and Davies revealed their mutual hostility and substance abuse, with references to cannabis and cocaine use. Prosecutor James Newton-Price QC emphasized that the evidence pointed to one of them causing the fatal injury while the other either caused or allowed it to happen, knowing or being aware of the risks involved. The case remains a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of neglect and violence towards vulnerable children, and the community continues to mourn the loss of Stanley Davis, a baby whose life was tragically cut short by those entrusted with his care.