Father found guilty of murdering his baby daughter

A father has been found guilty of murdering his five-week-old baby daughter.

Everleigh Stroud suffered catastrophic injuries while Thomas Holford was looking after her in April 2021. The injuries left Everleigh with substantial brain damage and resulted in her death in May 2022. She also suffered rib and leg fractures and bruising. Medical experts at the trial gave evidence that these injuries were consistent with her being violently held and shaken.

Everleigh was healthy when she was left with Holford the evening before, but by 9:00am the next morning, she was only just conscious and making no purposeful movement. When paramedics arrived, they noticed a bruise on her face, but Holford denied seeing any bruising.

Police who went to the property found smoked cigarette butts on the desk where Everleigh was sleeping, with a bag of herbal cannabis and grinder next to a baby’s bottle.

Holford originally told police that he would not hurt his daughter but pleaded guilty to her manslaughter.

Will Bodiam from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Holford was left in charge of his daughter on the fateful night and shook her with such force that he caused her traumatic brain injury that ultimately killed her a year later.

“It would have been obvious to him as a parent what he had done by Everleigh’s reaction, as she would have immediately shown severe pain and obvious signs of distress. Despite this, he did nothing to help her, claiming that there was nothing wrong with her the following morning, when everyone else who saw her knew straightaway something terrible had happened.

“When Everleigh was rushed to intensive care at a London hospital, he showed no emotion, instead continuing to download games on his phone and even asking one of the police officers to help him choose a game.

“Holford’s actions left his daughter in unimaginable pain for the next year before her death.

“Following an extensive police investigation, we were able to build a strong prosecution case proving that Holford deliberately and intentionally injured his daughter. Today he has been brought to justice for the murder of Everleigh and we hope this brings some small comfort to her family.”