A stepfather has been found guilty of murdering a 10-month-old baby boy.

Jacob Crouch was born healthy on 17 February 2020 and died alone in his cot on 30 December 2020 at his home in Linton, near Swadlincote.

His stepfather Craig Crouch, 39, was accused of having caused up to 41 rib fractures to Jacob in at least five separate assaults, Derby Crown Court heard.

Expert evidence showed the baby later contracted peritonitis – an infection of the lining of the abdominal organs – and died.

Crouch was convicted of murder and three counts of child cruelty after the jury deliberated for four days following a seven-week trial.

The boy’s mother Gemma Barton, 33, was cleared of murder, an alternative charge of manslaughter, and two counts of child cruelty, but was found guilty of causing or allowing a child to die and a third count of child cruelty.

Opening the case in June, prosecutor Mary Prior KC said: “Neither sought medical help for Jacob at any stage for the pain and suffering caused when his bones were broken or in the few days that followed.”

She added: “Neither got Jacob out of what must have been a life with episodes of significant pain and suffering.

“Jacob was not given the care that as a baby he needed and deserved.”

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