A so-called mother and her brutal boyfriend have been caged for life after subjecting her two-year-old son to a campaign of unimaginable terror that ended in his tragic death.
Little Jacob Lennon suffered a catalogue of horrors at the hands of 33-year-old Nicola Priest and her 40-year-old partner, Gary Cunningham, in their Croydon flat. The pair were found guilty of murder following a trial at the Old Bailey.
A Life Cut Short by Unspeakable Cruelty
The court heard how Jacob's short life was filled with pain and suffering. He endured multiple broken ribs, a fractured skull, and severe internal injuries – evidence of sustained and brutal abuse.
On the day of his death in June 2021, the toddler was subjected to a final, fatal assault. The couple then callously delayed calling for an ambulance, prioritising their own cover-up over the life of the dying child.
The Chilling 999 Call and the Grim Discovery
When emergency services finally arrived, they found a scene of devastation. Jacob was pronounced dead at the scene. The subsequent post-mortem examination revealed the sheer extent of his injuries, painting a picture of prolonged torture.
Priest's frantic 999 call, where she falsely claimed Jacob had choked on cheese, was played in court, exposing her lies and desperation to evade responsibility for the monstrous crime.
Justice Served at the Old Bailey
Mr Justice Spencer sentenced the pair to life in prison, with Cunningham ordered to serve a minimum of 32 years and Priest a minimum of 27 years before being eligible for parole.
In his sentencing remarks, the judge condemned the couple's "utterly selfish" actions and the "sadistic" treatment of a vulnerable and defenseless child.
The case has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious questions about the protection of the most vulnerable in society.
