A FATHER found guilty of killing his 14-week-old daughter, who died after suffering a catastrophic brain injury, has been jailed for 14 years.
Christopher Easey, 31, of Ely Road, Little Thetford, had denied murder but was convicted of manslaughter by a jury at Norwich Crown Court in March.
On Friday, he was jailed for 14 years for the manslaughter of his baby daughter, Eleanor.
He also received a one-year custodial sentence for one count of child cruelty, to run concurrently with the manslaughter sentence.
Christopher Easey was also sentenced to a year for child cruelty (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)Easey's co-defendant, Eleanor’s mother Carly Easey, 36, of Elizabeth Drive, Chedburgh, received a 12-month community order having been found guilty by a jury of child cruelty at an earlier court hearing.
"Chris Easey has been found guilty of killing his baby daughter and it is the awful truth that she died at the hands of the very man who should have taken care of her; someone who should have cared for her and shown unconditional love," said Detective Inspector Lewis Craske.
"Sadly, that wasn’t the case and little Eleanor was neglected for much if not all her very short life."
Brain injuries and rib fractures
Eleanor was rushed to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on December 18, 2019, after being found unresponsive at home.
She was later transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital, where doctors confirmed she had suffered a catastrophic brain injury.
Sadly, she died on December 20, 2019.
Tests showed Eleanor had suffered bleeds to her brain on three separate occasions, the most recent within 48 hours of her being admitted to hospital, and multiple retinal haemorrhages.
Baby Eleanor had suffered bleeds to her brain on three separate occasions (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)Her injuries were consistent with non-accidental head trauma, possibly due to shaking, impact or a combination of both.
A Home Office post-mortem examination established cause of death as a head injury of the shaking/impact type.
She also had multiple historic metaphyseal fractures, multiple rib fractures and was found to be malnourished.
Friends, work colleagues and family members told detectives how the parents fed Eleanor custard cream biscuits and lemon cheesecake, gave her squash to drink and left her home alone.
'Emotive investigation'
Both parents were initially charged with murder, however, evidence showed Carly Easey was not present at the time Eleanor suffered the brain injury that proved to be fatal.
Prosecutors subsequently dropped the murder charge against her.
"Finding out what happened in that family during Eleanor's life and on that terrible evening in December 2019 has always been our priority," added DI Craske.
"I know we did that and presented our findings.
"This was a very emotive investigation, and the memories of it will remain with us for quite some time."
See More: Norfolk Constabulary
