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Denise Breen-Lawton KC Prosecutes Child Neglect Case

Denise Breen-Lawton KC
Written by:

Megan Blackwell

Megan Blackwell
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Denise Breen-Lawton KC prosecuted a 37 year old woman for a child cruelty against her 5-month-old baby who subsequently died.

Natasha Birks was convicted of child cruelty in September at Stoke-On-Trent Crown Court. The jury heard how Natasha and a friend had consumed a full bottle of vodka whilst baby Rhian slept on the sofa. The prosecution argued that Birks only briefly observed her daughter from the dining room doorway throughout the night rather than conducting a proper check.

Birks was found to have failed to recognise baby Rhian’s deteriorating health between 6am and 9am, by the time ambulance staff arrived Rhian was deceased.

Birks was given a suspended 18-month sentence.

News Coverage:

BBC News

Crown Prosecution Service

Birmingham Live

Written by Megan Blackwell

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