MURDER TRIAL: TODDLER ABUSED TO DEATH BY MOTHER’S BOYFRIEND

A recent trial at the Old Bailey revealed to the jury that a man killed his girlfriend’s 15-month-old child, Jacob Lennon, who died of serious head injuries after a period of abuse. The mother of the child, Louise Lennon, denied neglect and causing or allowing the death of her child.

It has been alleged that in weeks prior to the murder, Jacob Lennon suffered many injuries to the face and body, while his mother failed to stop this.

Jurors heard that five days before the murder, Jake Drummond, the man charged with the child’s death, was sending disturbing messages to Louise Lennon, including one where he said he was putting Jacob in a ‘’torture chamber’’ when referring to the boy’s bedroom.

Medics found that Jacob’s eyes were so swollen that he could not open them, with several bruises all over his face. He was also later found to have traces of cocaine in his body, possibly because of Drummond’s drug addiction, Jurors were told.

The jury has been told that the defendant had a long history of violence, including domestic violence in 2005, when the police came to Drummond’s mother’s house after an argument between the two. It was claimed that Drummond was swinging a hammer and had an 8-inch knife to his mother’s throat.

The jury was also told that in 2008, Drummond was again visited by the police after him and his girlfriend at the time argued, with the police finding bruises on her arms.

Drummond was found guilty of murder and wounding Jacob with intent. Lennon was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, having earlier admitted child cruelty.