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Nursery Worker Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Death of 14-Month-Old

Sentencing has been deferred pending the 2026 trial of the nursery’s director alongside its parent company facing health and safety as well as corporate manslaughter charges.

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Overview

  • At Wolverhampton Crown Court on June 10, Kimberley Cookson, 22, admitted gross negligence manslaughter over Noah Sibanda’s death at Dudley’s Fairytales Day Nursery in December 2022.
  • Kimberley Cookson’s sentencing will follow the conclusion of the 2026 trial, which is expected to last three weeks.
  • Nursery director Deborah Latewood pleaded not guilty to breaching duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
  • Fairytales Nursery Limited entered a not guilty plea to corporate manslaughter and failing to comply with health and safety duties.
  • Ofsted shut the Bourne Street nursery in December 2022 citing unsafe sleep protocols, and Noah’s family has attended hearings seeking accountability.