A mother who murdered her seven-week-old daughter by shattering her skull in a fit of rage has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 12 years and 154 days.
Details of the Case
Sarah Ngaba, 32, formerly of Briarwood in Brookside, Telford, Shropshire, was convicted of murder last month. The court heard that she caused severe injuries to her daughter Eliza Ngaba through violent shaking and an impact to the head in November 2019. Eliza died from an infection in August 2022.
After the attack, Ngaba visited a shop to purchase a lottery ticket before taking Eliza to the hospital by taxi. She then attempted to conceal her actions by lying to medical staff and police.
Sentencing Remarks
Mrs Justice Brunner, sentencing Ngaba at Birmingham Crown Court, described the killing as "the culmination of increasingly hostile behaviour" towards the infant. The judge noted that Ngaba delayed seeking medical help and failed to give her daughter the best chance of treatment.
The judge stated: "The distribution of injuries shows this was not a momentary attack. The trigger for you losing your temper is not clear. The result of that assault was immediately catastrophic."
It was determined that Eliza's head was likely struck against a wall. The judge added: "It would have been obvious to you straight away that Eliza had serious injuries but you continued to act in a callous way. You deliberately delayed and you deliberately concealed Eliza's terrible state. Instead you put your interests above hers."
Previous Sentence and Mitigation
Ngaba was already serving a 14-year sentence for wounding, imposed in 2021. The judge deducted the time served from the minimum term, which would have been 19 years otherwise.
Gordon Aspden KC, mitigating, said Ngaba had embraced the Anglican community in prison and was described as an exemplary prisoner. He asked for the least possible minimum term.
Prosecutor Lisa Hancox said: "The medical evidence shows that Eliza's injuries were caused by two distinct mechanisms – shaking and impact. Clearly the attack was prolonged."
She added: "Eliza died as a result of a violent assault inflicted by her mother during what can properly be described as a loss of control amounting to a fit of rage. It was a sustained and aggressive assault upon a defenceless infant."
Foster Parents Praised
The judge praised Eliza's foster parents, Laura and Gary Haynes, for their dedication. They described Eliza as having a "bright and sunny nature" and said they cherished her deeply.
