Overview
- Teesside Crown Court heard the child suffered a fractured skull and traumatic brain injury that required temporary removal of part of the skull.
- Jurors convicted both defendants in under two hours of causing or allowing serious physical harm after evidence of repeated injuries over weeks, including broken wrists, a fractured jaw and burns.
- Judge Jonathan Carroll said he was satisfied Neill delivered the blunt-force impact and branded him a dangerous offender who displayed “sadistic” behavior.
- Neill received a 14-year extended sentence — 13 years in custody plus one year on licence — while Cave was jailed for 10 years for failing to protect the child.
- Durham police said the child, now two, was discharged in the summer and is recovering, though lifelong effects are expected.