Dudley father who shook baby daughter to death jailed for life for her murder

Peace, aged 43, of Himley Road, was imprisoned for a minimum of 14 years over the murder of Summer Peace on September 9, 2017.

He violently shook her during a momentarily loss of temper the previous day which resulted in her suffering fatal brain injuries.

Sentencing Peace at Birmingham Crown Court today, Mr Justice Linden said: "What you have done will cast a long shadow over you and your family for the rest of your life."

The incident happened within a two-minute period between two phone calls with another person just after 4pm on September 8, 2017, when Summer had become unsettled and was crying

Mr Linden said Peace and the caller struggled to hear one another as Summer was crying so loudly.

More:

• Dudley father guilty of murdering his five-month-old baby daughter

• Summer Peace: How five-month-old's life was cut short at hands of her father

In sentencing peace, Mr Linden said: "Just after two minutes later, you called back and said Summer had collapsed and was not breathing properly.

"It is clear that the jury concluded that between these two calls you snapped and, at the very least, shook Summer so hard that her head moved on the axis between skull and neck with sufficient violence to cause serious damage to the area of the brain stem which controls a person’s heart beat and their breathing. This, in turn, caused Summer immediate cardio-respiratory arrest and she collapsed.

"I accept your actions were out of character and you did not intend to kill her, although the jury found you intended to cause her serious injuries.

"She was clearly a delightful, happy, baby. She was in rude health and she had no reason to fear, or even suspect, that her life would be cut short in the way that it was."

Summer was initially rushed to Russells Hall Hospital but was transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital, where died at 5.44pm the day after she collapsed.

After her collapse, Peace called 999 and carried out chest compressions while paramedics raced to the scene.

Coverage of the case:

• Jury asked: Did Dudley father shake baby Summer to death?

• Jurors told baby had pneumonia before collapse

• Dudley father accused of baby murder was 'brilliant dad', his mother tells court

• Father accused of baby murder said he would 'protect his children at all costs'

• Dudley baby death trial told of girl's 'traumatic injury'

• Collapse of five-month-old Summer not due to pneumonia, expert tells court

• Jury told of little Summer's fight for life

• Court hears father tried CPR on daughter

• Medics tell of fight for little Summer

• Father could have caused brain injuries to girl in panic after she collapsed, trial told

• Man on trial over baby daughter's death

Mr Linden said he accepted Peace showed remorse for what he did by calling emergency services and carrying out urgent treatment on the advice of the call operator.

The judge praised paramedics who arrived on the scene three minutes after the 999 and called their work "exemplary".

Mr Linden recapped on character witnesses for Peace who described him as a "loving and committed father".

He also recalled Peace's history where he had no previous history of violence.

Mr Michael Turner, defending Peace, said: "This was a momentary loss of self control. The court should treat Mr Peace - for all intents and purposes - as a loving father.

"He clearly made immediate attempts to save Summer's life. He called 999 immediately.

"He demonstrated immediate remorse."

Mr Linden said the starting point for Mr Peace's sentence was 15 years, but having weighed up aggravating and mitigating factors, he said: "Philip Peace, I sentence you to life in prison with a minimum term of 14 years."

Speaking after the sentencing, Wendy Bounds, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "This is a tragic case where Philp Peace lost his self-control and ended his daughter’s life by causing devastating injuries when she had her whole future ahead of her.

"The prosecution team worked tirelessly to achieve justice for Summer. Our thoughts remain with all those affected by Summer’s death."

A spokesman for the NSPCC said: "Peace showed a complete disregard for the life of his five-month-old daughter - inflicting horrific injuries when he should have been protecting and caring for her.

"This is a tragic case, and it underlines the vulnerability of babies who are dependent on parents and carers for their welfare.

"It’s so important that people come forward and report child abuse - we all have a duty to look out for children’s welfare.

"If you are concerned about a child, please call the NSPCC helpline confidentially on 0808 800 5000. If a child is in immediate danger, please call 999."