In a harrowing case that has shocked the nation, a couple from North London has been handed life sentences for the murder of their 10-month-old daughter, Kaylani Kalanzi.
Shane Jenkins, 34, and Kayleigh Driver, 31, were convicted at the Old Bailey after a trial revealed the infant died from catastrophic brain injuries consistent with being violently shaken.
A Timeline of Tragedy
The court heard how emergency services were called to the family's home in Harrow on the evening of 22 November 2022. Little Kaylani was found unresponsive and not breathing.
Despite the frantic efforts of paramedics and doctors at Northwick Park Hospital, she could not be saved. A post-mortem examination later revealed the true horror: a severe brain injury, retinal haemorrhages, and fractures to her ribs and wrist—all tell-tale signs of abusive head trauma.
The Web of Lies Unravels
Initially, Jenkins and Driver provided conflicting accounts to medical staff and police, attempting to blame each other and suggesting the injuries were the result of a fall.
However, expert medical testimony dismantled their stories. Consultants stated unequivocally that the injuries were "non-accidental" and were the result of significant and excessive force—the kind seen in car crashes or falls from a great height, not a simple tumble.
Justice Served at the Old Bailey
Judge Mark Lucraft KC presided over the sentencing, describing the case as one of "extreme gravity." Shane Jenkins received a life sentence with a minimum term of 22 years. Kayleigh Driver was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 12 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command led the investigation. She stated after the sentencing: "This was a horrific and heartbreaking case. Kaylani was a vulnerable baby who should have been protected by her parents. Instead, they subjected her to violence which ultimately ended her life."
The case serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of shaking a baby and the relentless pursuit of justice by the Metropolitan Police.
