Latest news with #ThomasHolford
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Dad, 25, played on phone as he was quizzed over death of baby girl from ‘violent shaking,' murder trial hears
A FATHER played on his phone in a "good mood" while being quizzed by cops over the death of his baby daughter, a court heard. Thomas Holford, 24, is accused of shaking his baby girl to death. 2 2 The five-week-old baby was rushed to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital after the ordeal at her home in Ramsgate, Kent. Everleigh Stroud remained there in a vegetative state until she died over a year later in 2022 - aged 14 months. Her dad had been living with her 16-year-old mum at time and pleaded guilty to manslaughter in November last year. He denies murder and causing actual bodily harm. Everleigh's injuries, which ultimately led to her death in hospital on May 27, 2022, included catastrophic brain haemorrhages and multiple bone fractures. Jurors heard that while it is accepted by Holford that he inflicted them, he disputes the prosecution case that he intended to kill Everleigh - or cause her really serious harm. Holford also denies a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm. Canterbury Crown Court heard that mum Casey Stroud had left Everleigh in Holford's care while she went to stay with a friend on the night of April 20 to celebrate her birthday. When she returned, on the morning of her 17th birthday, she found her daughter grey in colour with marks on her face. While Everleigh was rushed to hospital, Holford was questioned by police in the family living room. But jurors heard that he was "very relaxed" and in "quite a good mood" while detailing the events of the previous night. He repeatedly used his phone, and at one point in a conversation, the first-time dad asked a sergeant to pick a game for him to download from his app store. PC Darren Smith, who recorded his interactions with Holford on his body-worn camera, told the court: "When he entered the room he seemed to be in quite a good mood. "He didn't seem to be showing any emotion. He was quite easily conversing with me." The court heard - and watched the footage - of Holford describing having fed Everleigh two or three times during the night and settling her to sleep. Holford said he recalled hearing her "whimper", but thought she was just dreaming. The dad said he didn't see any bruises on his daughter until a "very upset" Casey had woken him. He also referred to his low mood and an upcoming appointment with the community mental health team. Asked by prosecutor Eloise Marshall if the defendant's demeanour had changed during their conversation, PC Smith replied: "Not to any drastic amount." Ms Marshall then asked: "What was he actually doing while you were talking to him?" The officer responded: "Mainly playing on his mobile phone." In much of the footage, Holford could be seen holding the device between his hands. At one stage, Holford recalled how he feared he had swaddled Everleigh "quite tightly" when she whimpered. He then told PC Smith: "It's weird. Before I had a kid, I just thought 'kids are just kids'. "Then, you have a kid and it's like, 'Woah, step back'. It puts everything into perspective, doesn't it? "Before, I didn't feel like I had a purpose. I wasn't working. But now I feel everything has just fallen into place." Holford also revealed that he had smoked cannabis at around 10am the previous day, and would use it daily in the morning for a stomach issue. A small amount of herbal cannabis, along with a grinder, was found in the "untidy and crammed" bedroom he had shared with Casey and Everleigh. Holford was arrested and taken to Margate Police Station. PC Smith told the jury he heard the defendant "speaking freely" of how he was often told by his girlfriend on waking that he had been "verbally aggressive" towards her - but had no knowledge of doing so. Sgt Benjamin Patterson also gave evidence about his interactions with Holford, who he described as being "very interested in his phone, very relaxed and distant". During cross-examination, Holford's barrister, Jo Martin KC, suggested the dad's presentation could have been "a delayed reaction", which PC Smith agreed could be the case. However, when she suggested Holford had been talking "randomly" while in the custody cell, PC Smith replied: "He was calm the whole time I was with him. I couldn't work out his mindset at all. "Over the whole day, he was on a level. I don't remember seeing any emotion - something that seemed strange considering what had happened." Jurors also heard that in visits to the family home by health workers on March 30 and April 6, Casey said Holford was doing most of the night feeds so she could rest. It was also noted that he "really helped out" and was happy to do so. The trial continues.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Father played with his phone as police quizzed him over baby's brain injuries, murder trial hears
A dad accused of murdering his baby daughter by shaking her so hard he caused catastrophic brain injuries, played with his phone while being questioned by police, a jury has heard. Thomas Holford, now 24, is accused of killing Everleigh Stroud following an incident at a home in Ramsgate, Kent on April 21, 2021. The youngster, who was just five weeks old at the time, was rushed to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in nearby Margate. She remained there in a vegetative state until she died over a year later on May 27, 2022 - aged 14 months. Holford, who at the time had been living with Everleigh's 16-year-old mum, Casey Stroud, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in November last year - but denies murder and causing actual bodily harm. During his trial, Canterbury Crown Court heard how Ms Stroud had left Everleigh in Holford's care while she went to stay with a friend on the night of April 20 to celebrate her birthday. When she returned, on the morning of her 17th birthday, she found her daughter grey in colour with marks to her face. While Everleigh was rushed to hospital, Holford was questioned by police in the family living room. But jurors heard that he was 'very relaxed' and in 'quite a good mood' while detailing the events of the previous night. He repeatedly used his phone, and at one point in a conversation, the first-time dad asked a sergeant to pick a game for him to download from his app store. PC Darren Smith, who recorded his interactions with Holford on his body-worn camera, told the court: 'When he entered the room he seemed to be in quite a good mood. 'He didn't seem to be showing any emotion. He was quite easily conversing with me.' The court heard - and watched the footage - of Holford describing having fed Everleigh two or three times during the night and settling her to sleep. Holford said he recalled hearing her 'whimper', but thought she was just dreaming. Holford spoke of not seeing or knowing of any bruises on his daughter - until a 'very upset' Casey had woken him. He also referred to his low mood and an upcoming appointment with the community mental health team. Asked by prosecutor Eloise Marshall if the defendant's demeanour had changed during their conversation, PC Smith replied: 'Not to any drastic amount.' Ms Marshall then asked: 'What was he actually doing while you were talking to him?' The officer responded: 'Mainly playing on his mobile phone.' In much of the footage, Holford could be seen holding the device between his hands. At one stage, Holford recalled how he feared he had swaddled Everleigh 'quite tightly' when she whimpered. He then told PC Smith: 'It's weird. Before I had a kid, I just thought 'kids are just kids'. 'Then, you have a kid and it's like, 'Woah, step back'. It puts everything into perspective, doesn't it? 'Before, I didn't feel like I had a purpose. I wasn't working. But now I feel everything has just fallen into place.' Holford also revealed, the court was told, that he had smoked cannabis at around 10am the previous day, and would use it daily in the morning for a stomach issue. A small amount of herbal cannabis, along with a grinder and other drug paraphernalia, was found in the 'untidy and crammed' bedroom he had shared with Casey and Everleigh. Holford was arrested and taken to Margate Police Station, where he was placed under constant supervision. PC Smith told the jury he heard the defendant 'speaking freely' of how he was often told by his girlfriend on waking that he had been 'verbally aggressive' towards her - but had no knowledge of doing so. Sgt Benjamin Patterson also gave evidence about his interactions with Holford, who he described as being 'very interested in his phone, very relaxed and distant'. He told the jury: 'On at least one occasion he showed me the phone and asked me to choose from a list of games from the app store on that phone to download.' Everleigh's injuries, which ultimately led to her death in hospital on May 27, 2022, included catastrophic brain haemorrhages and multiple bone fractures. Jurors heard that while it is accepted by Holford that he inflicted them, he disputes the prosecution case that he intended to kill Everleigh - or cause her really serious harm. Holford also denies a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm - in relation to three anal tears said by an expert to have been caused to Everleigh by penetration of a penis, finger, or object. During cross-examination, Holford's barrister, Jo Martin KC, suggested the dad's presentation could have been 'a delayed reaction', which PC Smith agreed could be the case. However, when she suggested Holford had been talking 'randomly' while in the custody cell, PC Smith replied: 'He was calm the whole time I was with him. I couldn't work out his mindset at all. 'Over the whole day, he was on a level. I don't remember seeing any emotion - something that seemed strange considering what had happened. 'I saw no change of emotion.' The court heard that Everleigh, who was born on March 13, 2021, had no health concerns at the time she was assaulted. Jurors also heard that in visits to the family home by health workers on March 30 and April 6, Casey said Holford was doing most of the night feeds so she could rest. It was also noted that he 'really helped out' and was happy to do so. The trial continues.
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Doctor tells baby murder trial injuries from 'violent shaking'
A doctor has told a jury she believes injuries inflicted upon a five-week-old baby who was allegedly murdered by her father were caused by "violent shaking".Thomas Holford, 24, is accused of murdering Everleigh Stroud, who was rushed to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital in Margate, Kent, on 21 April was having seizures, had a bleed on the brain and a number of other injuries. She died in hospital, aged 14 months, on 27 May the following year, Canterbury Crown Court was of Ramsgate, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in November last year but denies murder and causing actual bodily harm. On Thursday, a statement from the consultant paediatrician who was on duty when Everleigh was admitted to the QEQM hospital was read to the Bushra Malik said she was called to the A&E resuscitation department where "several members of staff were around the bed of a baby girl brought in by ambulance".She was told it was a suspected Non-Accidental Injury (NAI) because of bruising on her face and the seizures she was giving Everleigh a CT scan due to signs of a bleed on her brain, Dr Malik went to talk to the baby's mother to ask about the baby's history."I can recall that Casey Stroud appeared more interested in her phone than she did Everleigh," Dr Malik said in her scan showed a "massive" bleed on the baby's brain, the court heard. "In my professional opinion, due to the age and multiple bruising… the injuries to Everleigh were caused non-accidentally," Dr Malik was transferred to Kings College Hospital in London by air ambulance later that well as brain injuries, she had injuries to her eyes "consistent with an acceleration/deceleration type injury", the court was transferred to a high-dependency unit and it was initially thought should would survive, despite the brain being transferred back to the hospital in Margate for ongoing care, she survived for more than a year before her condition 27 May 2022 at Eveline Children's Hospital in London, the decision was made to withdraw her life support. Arrest footage The jury also heard a statement from Dr Sreena Das, a general paediatrician at Kings College said the fractures to Everleigh's legs and ribs, damage to her eyes and multiple external bruising were typical "when a child is violently held and shaken".She said: "In my opinion the only explanation for the combination of head injuries and different fractures is non-accidental, in particular, violent shaking."The jury was shown footage of the moment Holford was arrested on suspicion of child neglect and GBH on 21 May the footage, it was explained to Holford that police had received an update from the hospital that the bruising on Everleigh's face appeared to have been "done by a person".The arresting officer, PC Lianne Groves, told Holford: "Obviously the only person that was in there with her..."She was interrupted by Holford, who pointed at himself and said: "Was me".The trial continues.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Ramsgate murder trial hears baby had blood on lips in 999 call
A baby allegedly murdered by her father was grey, cold, bruised and had blood on her lips by the time an ambulance was called, a court has Holford, 24, is accused of murdering Everleigh Stroud, who was rushed to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, Kent, on 21 April remained there until she died, aged 14 months, on 27 May of Ramsgate, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in November last year but denies murder and causing actual bodily harm. He was living with his then 16-year-old girlfriend, Casey Stroud, and her parents in Wallwood Road, Ramsgate, at the time of the Stroud was staying with a friend on 20 April to celebrate her birthday, leaving Holford to care for their daughter at Canterbury Crown Court on Wednesday were played a 999 call made by Kelly Stroud, Everleigh's grandmother, at 09:20 BST on 21 told the operator that Everleigh was "just about" breathing and conscious, and was not making any purposeful movement."She's looking quite grey, she's feeling quite cold, her eyes are really puffed up and she's got a bruise on her cheek," said asked it was difficult to wake Everleigh up, Kelly replied: "Yes, she's not crying, she's finding it impossible to cry." Kelly then asked her daughter to check Everleigh's breathing, to which she replied: "I can't tell, I can't tell, her eyes are so swollen she can't open her eyes and she's really grey and cold."She looks in agony she's not right at all. She's not waking up at all, her eyes are like slits at the moment, looks like they're rolling back."Casey then told the operator there was blood on her daughter's court previously heard that Everleigh also had bone fractures, bruising to her face, atrophy to her eyes leading to her going blind and injuries to her anus.A paramedic arrived at the house at 09:26 and said they found Everleigh on her side, twitching and making "very slight" arrived shortly after and an officer was shown "a split" on Everleigh's lip by a paramedic who was carrying her to the ambulance, the jury officer said Holford appeared to be in a "good mood" as he played games on his phone while his daughter was being rushed to trial continues.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Ramsgate baby murder accused found gaming on phone by police
A man was found gaming on his phone by police after shaking his baby daughter so hard he caused "catastrophic" brain injuries, a court has Holford, 24, is accused of murdering Everleigh Stroud, who was rushed to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, Kent, on 21 April remained there in a vegetative state until she died, aged 14 months, on 27 May of Ramsgate, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in November last year, denies murder and causing actual bodily harm. On Tuesday, jurors at Canterbury Crown Court heard that Everleigh also had bone fractures, bruising to her face, atrophy to her eyes leading to her going blind and injuries to her Eloise Marshall KC told the court: "There is no dispute those injuries were inflicted by Thomas Holford," adding that they had been caused the time of the incident, Holford was living with his then 16-year-old girlfriend and her parents at an address in Wallwood Road, partner had stayed with a friend on 20 April to celebrate her birthday, leaving Holford to care for Everleigh overnight, the court next morning Everleigh's grandmother Kelly Stroud called 999, telling the operator the five-week-old baby "looked like she was in agony" and was unresponsive and barely breathing. Police attending the scene remarked that Holford appeared to be in a "good mood" as he played games on his phone while his daughter was being rushed to also noted a bag of herbal cannabis and a grinder next to a baby's bottle in the room where he had slept with Marshall added Holford "showed little emotion" and did not answer the majority of police questions when interviewed, except to say that he would not do anything to hurt his trial continues.
