…By for TDPel Media.
The heart-wrenching case of Ava Mae Collard has come to light, revealing the severe neglect and abuse she endured before her untimely death.
Her parents, Joshua Collard and Rebecca Grocott, have been sentenced to prison for causing her death.
The court heard harrowing details of her injuries, which included numerous fractures and exposure to cannabis.
Ava Mae’s Tragic Condition:
Ava Mae Collard, a five-month-old infant, suffered immensely before her death.
The court revealed the shocking extent of her injuries, which included 28 rib fractures, fractures to both clavicles, two fractures to her femur, a cauliflower ear, and bruises scattered across her scalp, face, legs, and arms.
She passed away on March 1, 2020.
The parents initially claimed ignorance about how these injuries occurred and denied causing any harm to their daughter.
However, after a five-week trial, they were found guilty of their terrible actions.
Sentencing of the Parents:
In a court session at Stafford Crown Court, Joshua Collard, aged 30, was described by the judge as a “violent, ill-tempered misogynist” and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Rebecca Grocott, aged 27, received an eight-year sentence.
Toxicology reports indicated that Ava Mae had been exposed to cannabis, revealing further neglect in her care.
Collard grew cannabis at home and even removed the plants and related equipment while his daughter was in critical condition at the hospital.
Lack of Remorse and Tragic Life of Ava Mae:
The judge, Mr. Justice Cotter KC, noted that Collard showed no signs of remorse for his actions.
On the other hand, Grocott demonstrated some remorse during the court proceedings.
The judge emphasized the pain and misery Ava Mae endured throughout her short life, leaving everyone present in court deeply affected.
Details of the Trial and Investigation:
Paramedics were called to the family’s home in Stone on February 27, 2020, after which they alerted the police when they found Ava Mae in cardiac arrest.
Despite their efforts to save her, she tragically passed away in the hospital.
Following an investigation and post-mortem examination, the parents were arrested on March 25, 2020.
The court found them guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child, and two counts of assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, or abandoning a child or young person to cause unnecessary suffering or injury.
A Tragic Ending for a Young Life:
The judge acknowledged that only Collard and Grocott knew the full truth of what happened to their daughter.However, the injuries Ava Mae sustained were consistent with her ribs being forcefully squeezed.
Collard was described as the dominant figure in the household, prioritizing his interests in cannabis and his dog over his daughter.
The judge also highlighted Grocott’s failure to protect her child and her attempts to cover up Collard’s abuse.
Closure for the Wider Family:
Despite the sentencing, nothing can bring Ava Mae back to her loved ones.
Peter Grice, from the Crown Prosecution Service, expressed hope that the sentencing would bring some closure to the wider family.
Ava Mae’s tragic story serves as a stark reminder of the need to protect and nurture children, emphasizing the responsibility that parents have towards their young ones.
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