Derbyshire baby killer Craig Crouch in appeal against conviction and sentence

Crouch, 39, was jailed for life with a minimum of 28 years in August (Photo: Derbyshire Police) Crouch, 39, was jailed for life with a minimum of 28 years in August after being convicted of murdering baby Jacob Crouch. Following a trial he was also found guilty of three counts of child cruelty.

A jury heard 10-month-old Jacob endured “a culture of cruelty” at the hands of step-dad Crouch and mum Gemma Barton before his death on December 30, 2020.

Ten-month-old Jacob Crouch endured “a culture of cruelty” at the hand of step-dad Crouch and mum Gemma Barton (Photo: Derbyshire Police) Barton, 33, was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child and one count of child cruelty. She was jailed for 10 years.

Prosecutor Mary Prior KC said Jacob died “in his cot, alone” at his Swadlincote home after contracting peritonitis – an inflammation of the lining of abdominal organs.

He had suffered at least 39 rib fractures in a minimum of four separate assaults.