DONCASTER MAN AND WOMAN SARAH O’BRIEN AND MARTIN CURRIE SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD'S DEATH
In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Doncaster, a young boy named Keigan O’Brien lost his life due to severe injuries inflicted while under the care of his mother’s partner, Martin Currie.The incident occurred in January 2020 at the family home on Bosworth Road, Adwick, a suburb of Doncaster, where the young boy was left in Currie’s custody while his mother, Sarah O’Brien, was away from the residence.
Keigan, only two years old, was found in a critical condition when emergency services responded to a call made at approximately 10:55 a.m.
on the morning of January 8.
Paramedics arrived to find the boy near death, suffering from a brain bleed that ultimately led to his death in hospital the following day.
The court heard that the injuries Keigan sustained were catastrophic, with jurors being told that the cause of his death was likely a severe head injury, possibly caused by his head being forcefully struck against a wall or the floor.
Further investigation revealed that in the weeks leading up to his death, Keigan had endured multiple serious injuries, including a broken spine, broken ribs, and a broken arm.
These injuries suggested a pattern of ongoing abuse and neglect.
The court was also informed that Martin Currie had searched the internet for terms such as “irregular breathing,” “gurgling,” and “unconscious” approximately two hours before seeking medical assistance, indicating a possible awareness of the severity of Keigan’s condition before calling emergency services.
When the couple finally contacted emergency services, they claimed to have discovered Keigan unresponsive in bed, but they did not provide a clear explanation for how he had sustained his injuries.
The court heard that the couple’s account was inconsistent and that there was evidence of prior abuse, including derogatory messages exchanged between O’Brien and Currie, where Keigan was insulted with terms like “wankstain” and “shithead.” During the trial, jurors learned that Sarah O’Brien, aged 33, had been in a relationship with Currie for approximately six months before Keigan’s death.
Despite warnings from friends and family, she continued her relationship with Currie, even after witnessing or being aware of injuries Keigan suffered, such as two black eyes in October, which she initially attributed to a fall down the stairs to avoid questions from authorities.
The court also heard that O’Brien was aware, or should have been aware, of the risks posed by Currie’s violent behavior towards her son.
Nevertheless, she failed to protect Keigan, allowing him to remain in Currie’s care during the critical period leading up to his death.
Judge Mrs.
Justice Eady sentenced Currie, 36, to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years, describing his actions as a “violent murder of a blameless two-year-old” and condemning his gross abuse of trust.
She emphasized that Currie had assumed a paternal role but instead inflicted injuries that led to Keigan’s tragic death.
Sarah O’Brien was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty.
The judge stated that she was aware or should have been aware of the danger Currie posed but failed to act to protect her son.
Her failure to seek medical help promptly and her prior dismissive attitude towards injuries Keigan sustained contributed to her sentence.
Both defendants appeared separately in court to hear their verdicts, which followed nearly 13 hours of deliberation by the jury.
The sentencing will be scheduled at a later date, but the court’s findings have left a lasting impact on the community of Doncaster, highlighting the devastating consequences of neglect and abuse within a family setting.
