TIMOTHY MALLARD'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN BOURNE: BABY SCALDED AND FAKED CAR CRASH NEAR WITHAM-ON-THE-HILL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, Timothy Mallard, a 23-year-old man from Bourne, was sentenced to seven years in prison for inflicting severe injuries on a four-month-old girl and then attempting to cover up his actions through a staged car crash. The incident unfolded near Witham-on-the-Hill, Lincolnshire, on October 4, 2005, and has since garnered widespread attention due to the brutality involved.

According to court records, Mallard deliberately drove his vehicle into a tree on a quiet country lane, with the infant seated in the front passenger seat. The crash was not accidental; it was a calculated act designed to divert suspicion away from the true cause of the child's injuries. The young girl had been scalded with boiling water just 48 hours prior, suffering serious burns to her hands and feet. The injuries were so severe that medical experts confirmed they were deliberately inflicted, though it remains unclear who was responsible for the initial scalding.

During the proceedings at Lincoln Crown Court, Judge Michael Heath condemned Mallard’s actions, describing them as "simply dreadful" and emphasizing the need for a substantial prison sentence to reflect society’s abhorrence of such cruelty. The judge also imposed a lifelong ban on Mallard working with children, underscoring the gravity of his crimes. In addition to the prison term, Mallard was disqualified from any future employment involving children.

Tracey Watson, 28, Mallard’s partner and a former youth worker with a university education, was also involved in the case. She pleaded guilty to child cruelty and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. Watson, who was formerly of Station Street, Rippingdale, Lincolnshire, was also disqualified from working with children for life. The court heard that both defendants failed to seek medical attention for the injured baby when she was first hurt, despite her evident pain and distress. Medical professionals testified that the child’s injuries included bruising on her chest and cheeks, as well as multiple rib fractures sustained on two separate occasions.

The prosecution, led by Maureen Baker, indicated that it was not definitively known who caused the initial scalding, but experts believed her hands were deliberately held in boiling water. Mallard’s motive for staging the crash was to conceal the true cause of the injuries, which he feared would lead to the loss of contact with the child. On the day of the staged accident, Mallard falsely claimed to passing motorists that he had lost control of his car, which then burst into flames upon hitting the tree. Several witnesses stopped to assist, with one even giving him a lift to the nearest village so he could call emergency services. However, Mallard had already returned to the scene and set a fire in the footwell of the vehicle, then held the baby close to the flames, causing blistering to her feet.

The child was rushed to hospital, where doctors discovered bruising and multiple rib fractures. She was transferred to a specialist burns unit in Leicester, undergoing two surgeries and spending time in intensive care. Despite her injuries, she has shown remarkable resilience and is now in good health, although she will carry scars for life. An investigation into the crash scene revealed that Mallard had driven into the tree at approximately nine miles per hour. The baby, who was only wearing a nappy and not secured in a car seat or seatbelt, was vulnerable and unprotected during the incident.

Judge Heath highlighted that the burns occurred on October 2, and while the court could not determine who was responsible for the initial scalding, it was clear that the injuries were deliberately inflicted. The staged crash was a desperate attempt by Mallard to hide the truth, with the judge stating, "You deliberately caused flame burns to the baby to cover up the immersion burns." The court considered mitigating factors, including Mallard’s low intelligence, gullibility, and emotional turmoil at the time, but emphasized that these did not excuse his actions.

Addressing Watson, the judge noted her admission of guilt and her medical condition at the time, including depression. He expressed doubt that the full truth would ever be known, but acknowledged her manipulative tendencies without labeling her a monster. Mallard’s additional conviction for keeping a firearm without a license resulted in a concurrent 12-month sentence. Three further counts of child cruelty against both defendants were ordered to be left on file.

Detective Inspector Stuart Gibbon of Lincolnshire Police described the injuries as "appalling" but noted that the child had made significant progress. He expressed hope that she would have no memory of the ordeal and praised the medical teams involved for their crucial role. Lincolnshire CPS spokeswoman Allison Cunningham called the case tragic and harrowing, praising the thorough investigation and prosecution efforts that led to the guilty pleas.

Outside the courtroom, friends of Mallard expressed disbelief and described him as a "gentle and lovely guy." Brian Speechley told BBC News, "It’s just so strange that he has changed in this way. He treated the baby very well. The baby was scalded, but as the Judge said, nobody will ever know the truth of what happened." The case remains a stark reminder of the devastating impact of child abuse and the importance of vigilant investigation and justice.