MAN JAILED FOR KILLING TODDLER WHO 'IRRITATED' HIM AS BOY'S MOTHER IS SENTENCED FOR CHILD CRUELTY
Warning: This article contains details that may be upsetting to some readers.A postal worker who caused the death of his girlfriend's young son by becoming 'irritated' with him has been sentenced to prison for manslaughter.
Over the span of a year, Scott Coombe repeatedly assaulted 18-month-old Andrew Cawker after moving into the residence of Tamika Beaton in southeast London.
The repeated abuse culminated in a severe head injury that ultimately led to the child's death.
Tamika Beaton, aged 25, suspected that her son was being mistreated but chose not to act or seek assistance, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The toddler died following a violent shaking and throwing incident by Coombe, who had grown 'irritated' with caring for him while Beaton was at a dance class in July 2019.
Andrew never regained consciousness after hitting his head on the floor and passed away in hospital two weeks later.
At the Old Bailey court, Coombe was sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of manslaughter, child cruelty, and three counts of assault.
Beaton received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, having been convicted of child cruelty.
Following the fatal injury, Coombe called emergency services, claiming that Andrew had become 'stiff' and had experienced a seizure.
Hospital staff, however, expressed concerns that the injuries were unlikely to have been accidental.
The 24-year-old postal worker was initially arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and was further detained on suspicion of murder after Andrew's death.
An autopsy revealed that the boy died due to a head injury, with additional bruises identified on his face and shoulder.
A pathologist described Coombe's explanation of events as 'implausible' considering the extent of the injuries.
During the investigation, police uncovered photos and messages on the phones belonging to Coombe and Beaton that documented Andrew's injuries.
Evidence indicated that the injuries occurred while Andrew was solely under Coombe’s care, who had become involved with Beaton in July 2018.
Court proceedings revealed that Beaton had been unfaithful to Andrew's father, Ben Cawker, after meeting Coombe at a fitness class.
Mr.
Cawker expressed significant concern after Beaton sent him a photo of injuries to Andrew’s ribs in April 2019.
Despite this, Beaton suggested that he might have caused the injuries while caring for their son.
She repeated these accusations in a police interview, even knowing that Coombe was the sole caregiver at the time of the injuries.
Messages to her mother revealed Beaton's awareness of Andrew being hurt while in Coombe's care but that she opted not to intervene or stop the abuse, allowing it to persist—an act the police described as 'inaction' that contributed to Andrew's death.
Prosecutor Sally O'Neill KC stated that Beaton failed to protect her son and attempted to shift blame onto his father, Ben Cawker.
Coombe admitted to manslaughter, explaining he was 'irritated' with Andrew and in a fit of frustration, shook and then threw him.
Photographs taken before Andrew's death depicted him looking distressed.
The court also learned that Andrew was supposed to start nursery school but was kept at home due to concerns about his bruises.
Coombe, from Petts Wood, was convicted of manslaughter in February, while Beaton, from Peckham, was found guilty of child cruelty in October.
