Blackpool mother jailed for longer

A Blackpool mother who suffocated her child has had her sentence increased following intervention by the Solicitor General, The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP.

Following the breakdown of her relationship in 2018, Caitlin Jones, now 21, smothered her eight-month-old baby with a blanket before raising the alarm with her partner. Emergency services were called who took the child to hospital, however nothing could be done to revive her.

Devices which were seized showed searches relating to babies dying by suffocation, which had been made just hours before the baby’s death. Initially the offender denied that she had conducted these searches and suggested they had been made by her partner.

Jones pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter. On 1 April, Jones was sentenced to 5 years and 8 months’ imprisonment at Preston Crown Court.

Following a referral to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme by the Solicitor General, on 16 June the Court found the sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 8 years’ imprisonment.

After the hearing at the Court of Appeal, the Solicitor General, The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP, said:

A young life was taken far too early by someone whose duty it was to care for her. Jones showed no regard for the welfare of her child. This is a tragic case and it is right for the Court of Appeal to increase her sentence.