'Domineering and aggressive' stepfather jailed for murdering 10-month-old Jacob Crouch

A man has been jailed for life for the murder of his 10-month-old stepson.

Jacob Crouch was said to have sustained "acute physical and mental suffering" due to regular assaults from Craig Crouch, 39 across a six-month period. The step-father was found guilty of murder and three counts of child cruelty on Wednesday and has now been jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years.

Meanwhile, Jacob's mother, Gemma Barton, who was previously found guilty of causing or allowing his death, has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years. She was also handed a two-and-a-half-year consecutive sentence for child cruelty

Join our FREE Manchester Crime and Court WhatsApp group by clicking here

The court heard how Jacob had 39 rib fractures, 19 visible bruises, and internal injuries that were likened to that of car crash victims.

Jailing Crouch at Derby Crown Court on Friday, Mr Justice Ker said he was “in some ways, an unlikely murderer” but was “domineering, aggressive, boastful and arrogant” and caused Jacob “intense and prolonged harm”.

Mr Justice Ker said: "Jacob was a happy, smiley, bubbly baby who never complained about the horrific treatment he was receiving. He had to put up with it, and he did, often with a smile. Even those who never knew Jacob personally will miss him.

“It is nothing less than tragic that he will never become a boy, and then a man”.

Mr Justice Kerr said the offence was “an abuse of trust of the grossest kind”. He added: “He was a small baby who had not yet learned to walk or talk. Sadly, he never did so.

“To state the obvious, he could not defend himself. You caused Jacob acute physical and mental suffering. You inflicted first bruises, and then fractured ribs on this little baby.

“You have not shown any