Parents GUILTY of causing death of battered baby daughter
A mum and dad have been convicted of causing the death of their five-month-old daughter. Rebecca Grocott and Joshua Collard have been found guilty of causing the death of Ava Mae Collard and two counts of child neglect.
Stafford Crown Court[1] has heard during a five-week trial that West Midlands Ambulance Service[2] was called to the family home on Longhope Drive, in Stone, on February 27, 2020. Paramedics discovered the tot in cardiac arrest and alerted Staffordshire Police[3].
Little Ava Mae died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital[4] on March 1, 2020. A post-mortem examination found multiple fractures to Ava Mae’s ribs, collarbone and femur as well as severe trauma to the side of her head.
But the parents could not explain what had happened to their daughter and they were arrested by detectives who were now treating Ava Mae’s death as ‘unexplained’. Now Grocott, aged 27, of Harston Grove, Stone[5], and 30-year-old Collard, of Gough Close, Stafford[6], have been remanded in custody ahead of being sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday 27 July following the tragedy.
Ava Mae Collard, who was just five months old
Joshua Collard, 30, of Stafford
Rebecca Grocott, 27, of Stone.
Following this week’s convictions, Detective Constable Emily Hanlon, from Staffordshire Police’s child protection and exploitation team, said “This is a truly tragic case in which five-month-old Ava died as a result of the actions of two people who should have protected her. I would like to thank all of those involved in securing justice for Ava Mae. Our thoughts continue to remain with everyone affected by Ava Mae’s death.”
If you’re on the lookout for local news, we have you covered with our FREE email newsletter – sign up in the box at the top of this story or click here[7].
References
- ^ Stafford Crown Court (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ West Midlands Ambulance Service (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ Staffordshire Police (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ Royal Stoke University Hospital (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ Stone (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ Stafford (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ or click here (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)