A couple from South London who beat their baby boy to death have been sentenced to prison.
Devaun Rose-Turner was just eight months old when he died in December 2021, having sustained more than 80 injuries in the two months before his tragic death. Emergency services rushed to the Bedfordshire home at around 7am on 11 December 2021 after Devaun’s father, Emmanuel Turner, called to report that his son was not breathing.
Devaun was pronounced dead later that same morning. His parents, Emmanuel Turner and Shandies Rose, of Hurstbourne Road, Forest Hill, were arrested on suspicion of murder in 2022 but released under investigation while detectives worked to piece together a full picture of events.
View 2 ImagesTurner, 34, and Rose, 29, both of Hurstbourne Road, London, were also both convicted of causing or allowing a child to suffer significant harm
Officers worked in close collaboration with medical and forensic specialists to establish the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death, with the scale and pattern of his injuries pointing to repeated bouts of physical abuse. Investigators also confirmed that Devaun had been exclusively in the care of his parents throughout that entire period.
In August of that year, detectives discovered the pair had fled to Nigeria. They returned on 10 May last year and were arrested upon landing at the airport, subsequently charged and remanded in custody.
During the trial, the court heard how the young boy had endured more than 80 individual injuries during the eight weeks leading up to his death. Emmanuel Turner, 34, was handed a life sentence on Wednesday (June 3) with a minimum term of 22 years for the murder of his son. Shandies Rose, 29, was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter, receiving a 12-year jail term, reports MyLondon.
Both were also convicted of causing or allowing a child to suffer significant harm, receiving sentences of eight years and seven years respectively, to run concurrently.
Judge, the Honourable Mrs Justice Farbey KC, said: “Both of you knew about his pain. Both of you decided to keep it hidden so he received no medical help.”
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Detective Inspector Lee Martin, who led the investigation, said: “This was a complex and deeply challenging investigation into the sustained abuse and tragic death of a baby behind closed doors. From the outset, our focus was on establishing exactly what happened to Devaun and securing justice for him, with our team working tirelessly to ensure he was given a voice.
“Nothing can undo what happened to him, but today’s sentence reflects the persistence of our officers in ensuring that those who should have cared and protected for him have been held accountable for the abuse he suffered.
“Our thoughts will always remain with Devaun – sleep well, little man.”