A mother has been sentenced after a jury found she allowed her partner to inflict fatal injuries on her toddler, a case prosecutors say exposed a sustained pattern of abuse and a failure by caregivers to seek urgent help. The trial, heard at Southwark Crown Court, has renewed debate about how warning signs are recognised and reported in domestic settings.
Verdicts and penalties
Jurors convicted Zoe Coutts, 35, of allowing the death of a child, and found her then-partner, Scott O’Connor, 36, guilty of manslaughter for the attack that left two-year-old Kol Page critically injured in April 2022. Coutts received a 10-year prison term. O’Connor was jailed for 18 years and will serve an additional five years on licence.
The court heard the boy lived with catastrophic brain damage following the assault and died on 29 June 2024, more than two years after emergency services first attended.
What happened
Paramedics were called to the couple’s home on 25 April 2022 and found Kol not breathing, with facial bruising and a severe abdominal injury consistent with a stamp, kick or punch. Surgeons identified three wounds to the small bowel; the resulting internal bleeding and cardiac arrest caused massive brain injury.
Medical experts told jurors the force used was comparable to that seen in a serious road-traffic collision or a fall from height onto a hard surface. The court was shown images taken two weeks earlier in which the child had black eyes, and text exchanges in which the defendants minimised or dismissed his distress.
- Autumn 2021 – Coutts met O’Connor via a dating app.
- 9 April 2022 – Photographs show Kol with significant facial bruising.
- 20 April 2022 – Text messages between Coutts and O’Connor undermine the severity of the child’s injuries.
- 25 April 2022 – Emergency services found Kol critically injured; he underwent surgery and was later placed with foster carers.
- 29 June 2024 – Kol died from complications of his injuries.
Court findings
The judge told Coutts she did not physically assault Kol but had failed to protect him despite clear signs something was wrong. The court heard that, rather than seeking medical attention when the toddler showed escalating bruising, the couple attended a football match.
Both defendants tried to shift blame during the investigation and trial, the judge added. Video disclosed to the court captured Coutts pleading with officers as paramedics arrived, saying it was “not fair.”
Impact on the child and foster family
After surgery and while receiving ongoing care, Kol was placed with foster carers who described the boy’s pain and the toll his condition took on them. In a victim impact statement the foster mother said she felt compelled to stay with him in hospital to comfort and protect him during his recovery.
Doctors treating Kol reported they were unable to give him sufficient analgesia without risking further harm because of the severity of his injuries.
Statements from investigators and child protection groups
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, who led the inquiry, described the case as an example of a child being harmed where he should have been safest — at home. The Crown Prosecution Service said Kol deserved protection and that his death followed a campaign of abuse.
The NSPCC called the case “heartbreaking,” stressing that very young children are especially vulnerable because they rely entirely on adults for protection and may not have regular contact with professionals who could spot abuse.
The charity reiterated public guidance for anyone worried about a child’s welfare, including contacting police in an emergency or calling their helpline for confidential advice.
Why this matters now
Beyond the immediate tragedy, the case highlights how bruising and repeated injuries in young children can be misattributed or ignored, and how opportunities to intervene may be missed. It has prompted fresh questions about the responsibilities of adults caring for vulnerable children and the need for timely professional involvement when injuries escalate.
Legal observers noted the jury rejected murder charges but convicted on lesser, serious offences, reflecting the complexity of proving intent in cases involving prolonged abuse and parental failure to act.
For readers concerned about child welfare, the NSPCC helpline remains available at 0808 800 5000 or by email at help@nspcc.org.uk; police should be contacted on 999 if a child is in immediate danger.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
