Little Jacob's Story: Mum and Stepdad Convicted of Abusing and Killing 10-Month-Old



In a heart-wrenching case, a mother and her partner have been found guilty of causing the death of her 10-month-old child, after subjecting him to various forms of abuse.


Little Jacob Crouch tragically lost his life in December 2020, at his home in Derbyshire. 

He had 39 rib fractures and 19 visible bruises at the time of his death, and medical experts ruled out the possibility of these injuries being the result of everyday activities or play. 

The cause of death was peritonitis, an infection in the abdominal organs caused by traumatic bowel perforation.

The mother, Gemma Barton, 33, denied murder and child cruelty charges but was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child and one count of child cruelty. 

Her partner, Craig Crouch, was found guilty of murder and three counts of child cruelty.


During the trial, shocking details emerged of the abuse little Jacob endured for at least six months. 

Text messages between Barton and Crouch revealed their appalling actions, including feeding Jacob his own vomit, using gay slurs, and physically assaulting him. 

Tragically, this relentless abuse led to the innocent child's untimely death.

As the verdicts were read out in court, both defendants remained silent, and emotions ran high in the public gallery. 

Crouch now faces a life sentence for his heinous crime. The details of the case were so horrifying that the judge excused the jurors from further service.


Little Jacob's tragic story has sparked outrage among the LGBTQ+ community, as the abuse included homophobic slurs. 

During the trial, Barton tried to distance herself from the abuse, blaming Crouch for her son's death. 

However, the evidence presented in court painted a damning picture of their joint actions and mistreatment.

Sentencing for both defendants is set to take place at the same court on Friday. 

In another news, a dancer who is openly gay, has been killed during a confrontation at a gas station. See detailed story here

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