A woman has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 12 years for the killing of her seven-week-old baby daughter. Sarah Ngaba, 32, caused severe head injuries to Eliza Ngaba, resulting in her death. Ngaba had initially denied murder, claiming she was guilty of infanticide, but a jury at Birmingham Crown Court found her guilty in May.
The trial judge, Mrs Justice Brunner KC, described the act as the culmination of a pattern of hostile behavior towards the infant. Ngaba, previously convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to her child, was charged with murder after Eliza passed away from a respiratory infection, exacerbated by the earlier assault.
During sentencing, Mrs Justice Brunner highlighted the care provided by Eliza’s foster parents, Laura and Gary Haynes, who expressed their love for the child and the joy she brought into their lives. The judge criticized Ngaba for delaying medical help and concealing Eliza’s injuries, stating that the assault was not a momentary act of anger but a deliberate and prolonged attack.
Ngaba had already served over six years of a previous sentence for wounding, which was deducted from her new minimum term. In mitigation, Gordon Aspden KC mentioned Ngaba’s positive behavior while in prison, where she was described as a model inmate. The prosecutor, Lisa Hancox, presented medical evidence showing that Eliza’s injuries were caused by shaking and impact, indicating a prolonged and aggressive assault by Ngaba.
Ngaba’s growing hostility towards Eliza before the attack and her callous response to the infant’s collapse were highlighted by the prosecution. They argued that Eliza died as a result of a violent assault during a fit of rage, emphasizing the sustained and aggressive nature of the attack on the defenseless child.
