Bourne Teenager Sentenced For Baby Death

9 September 2014, 05:55 | Updated: 9 September 2014, 06:04

A 17-year-old girl, from Bourne near Peterborough has received a 24 month youth rehabilitation order combined with a supervision order today following her guilty plea to a charge of infanticide.

The girl, who cannot be named because she is aged under 18, was arrested on September 7th 2013 after police recovered the body of a newborn baby boy from a property in a village near Bourne.

A post mortem exam revealed the baby, who was later named James, died as a result of an obstruction of the airway.

The girl, who was the baby's mother, was originally charged by officers with murder. During a previous hearing the teenager offered a guilty plea to infanticide, meaning the balance of her mind was disturbed following the birth, which was accepted by the judge, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and police.

The trial judge, Mrs Justice Thirlwall, adjourned the sentencing to yesterday (8th September) to allow for reports to be prepared.

Speaking after sentencing DCI Tony Heydon of EMSOU Major Crime said: "The death of baby James is a tragedy that will stay with the family forever. I make no comment on the sentence passed other than to say that it acknowledges that someone has been held accountable for the death."

"The overwhelming feeling from everyone involved in this case is that it should not have happened. The only positive to be drawn is to raise awareness of the help available for teens who fall pregnant and for young mothers. An unexpected pregnancy may be hugely daunting but the best thing you can do is talk to someone you trust, be it your mum or dad, a family member, your teacher or your Doctor."

"Instances such as this tragic case are very rare and I hope to never see another like it."