Mother Jailed For 20 Years For Murder Of Baby Boy

A woman has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years for the murder of her eight-week-old baby boy and attempted murder of her daughter.

The defendant, who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of family members, was sentenced today, Friday 30 June, at Belfast Crown Court for event that occurred in north Belfast on Tuesday, 27 July, 2021.

Welcoming the sentencing, Detective Inspector Gina Quinn, from the PSNI's Major Investigation Team, said: "Police, who were called to a house in north Belfast that evening, found the woman with her two injured children.

"The baby boy, who was just eight weeks old, had sustained two stab wounds to his chest. Paramedics transferred the little one to hospital but, tragically, he was pronounced dead later that evening.

"The young girl had also been stabbed in the chest. She was transferred to hospital and survived, thanks to emergency, life-saving surgery.

"Both children had been stabbed by their mother – a parent who should, of course, have been loving, caring and protecting."

Detective Inspector Quinn continued: "This has been a totally distressing case. A tiny and innocent life was taken in senseless and tragic circumstances.

"I would like to thank our partners in the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children who fought so hard to try and save the lives of both children.

"The family have had their whole world turned upside down. They have lost an opportunity to see one of the children grow up, while the surviving child has lost her brother.

"There is nothing I can do or say that will undo this loss or begin to ease their pain. My thoughts, and that of the investigation team, are with the surviving child, the family and the wider community who have all been affected."

In a statement shared by the PSNI, the children's father said: "Words cannot describe what my family and I have been through. We never got to see my son grow up, but will never forget him."