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03/11/2008
Mother Jailed For Suffocating Child
A mother who was found guilty of suffocating her three-year-old son has today been jailed.
Tara Haigh, 24, was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Old Bailey, for smothering her young son with a pillow. She was ordered to serve at least 10 years before she can be considered for parole.
The court heard the 24-year-old from Guildford, Surrey, had logged onto an internet dating service just hours after the child's death, in November 2005.
Billy was described in court as a normal and healthy child, but Haigh had suffered from depression and bouts of self-harming. The toddler had been monitored by social services because there were fears his mother would neglect him.
His father was in prison for assaulting Haigh, when Billy died.
Prosecutor Sally Howes also said Haigh had learning difficulties and an IQ of only 74.
Ms Howes said after attempts to resuscitate Billy at the hospital had failed, she went home to her parents' home.
"An examination of the computer showed that within a few hours of her son's death, she was accessing messages sent to her by men on the website Girls Date Free," Howes said.
She arranged a date with one man, and also posted a message on the website saying her son had died a year ago from a tumour behind the ear.
Haigh, who denied the murder, originally claimed she had left her son on the sofa watching television and found him on his back not breathing. However, she gave a number of "inconsistent" accounts about what happened on the night of his death.
Haigh was found guilty of murder by a 10-2 majority after the jury deliberated for more than 26 hours.
Sentencing, Judge Peter Thornton QC said it was unclear why she killed her son.
He added: "Billy was a well and happy child whose life was cruelly taken away from him.
"You killed your son, a vulnerable child in your care and protection.
"You were, I accept, a good and loving parent doing the best you could.
"There was no accusation of cruelty and losing your child, all be it by your own hand, must have been a punishment for you."
She added: "The circumstances of Billy's death do not bear thinking about. He would have struggled for his life, fighting against his mother whom he had loved and trusted, until he was overpowered by your superior strength and will."
(JM)
Tara Haigh, 24, was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Old Bailey, for smothering her young son with a pillow. She was ordered to serve at least 10 years before she can be considered for parole.
The court heard the 24-year-old from Guildford, Surrey, had logged onto an internet dating service just hours after the child's death, in November 2005.
Billy was described in court as a normal and healthy child, but Haigh had suffered from depression and bouts of self-harming. The toddler had been monitored by social services because there were fears his mother would neglect him.
His father was in prison for assaulting Haigh, when Billy died.
Prosecutor Sally Howes also said Haigh had learning difficulties and an IQ of only 74.
Ms Howes said after attempts to resuscitate Billy at the hospital had failed, she went home to her parents' home.
"An examination of the computer showed that within a few hours of her son's death, she was accessing messages sent to her by men on the website Girls Date Free," Howes said.
She arranged a date with one man, and also posted a message on the website saying her son had died a year ago from a tumour behind the ear.
Haigh, who denied the murder, originally claimed she had left her son on the sofa watching television and found him on his back not breathing. However, she gave a number of "inconsistent" accounts about what happened on the night of his death.
Haigh was found guilty of murder by a 10-2 majority after the jury deliberated for more than 26 hours.
Sentencing, Judge Peter Thornton QC said it was unclear why she killed her son.
He added: "Billy was a well and happy child whose life was cruelly taken away from him.
"You killed your son, a vulnerable child in your care and protection.
"You were, I accept, a good and loving parent doing the best you could.
"There was no accusation of cruelty and losing your child, all be it by your own hand, must have been a punishment for you."
She added: "The circumstances of Billy's death do not bear thinking about. He would have struggled for his life, fighting against his mother whom he had loved and trusted, until he was overpowered by your superior strength and will."
(JM)
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