A man has been found guilty of murdering a 1-year-old baby girl.
Jamie Chadwick (20/11/97) of no fixed abode was sentenced at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court to life with a minimum term of 18 years in prison after he was found guilty of murder.
The court heard how at around 2.30 pm on Wednesday 16 October 2019, police were called by medical professionals after one-year-old Orianna Crilly-Cifrova was taken to hospital with severe head injuries.
Orianna sadly died from her injuries the next day.
Chadwick initially claimed that Orianna had fallen down two steps and banged her head on the floor.
Medical professionals confirmed that Orianna’s injuries were not caused by a minor domestic fall or accident.
Her head injuries were described as being similar to those suffered by victims of severe blunt force trauma.
Chadwick was initially arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault and was subsequently further arrested on suspicion of murder following Orianna’s death.
Chadwick was already under investigation by police concerning injuries sustained by another child when he murdered Orianna Crilly-Cifrova, his partner’s daughter.
He was under strict rules not to be in contact with any children.
During the trial, a judge said Chadwick carried out a ‘prolonged deception’ during which he lied to social workers.
It was established that authorities had not been told the truth about Chadwick having contact with the defenceless child before she was tragically killed.
Chadwick had once hidden under a bed to avoid being seen by a social worker who had visited Chelsea Crilly, the mother of Orianna, and her daughter.
The court heard harrowing details about how Chadwick attacked the defenceless child before strapping her into her pram and leaving her alone to die.
Crilly, 20, who was previously cleared of causing or allowing Orianna’s death, had been “assured” by Chadwick that he would never harm a child.
Referring to Crilly, Mrs Justice Yip said:
“Sadly, Miss Crilly chose to believe you rather than follow the advice she was given by the professionals.
“That is a decision she will regret for the rest of her life.”
Manchester Crown Court heard that Chadwick, who was not Orianna’s father, began a relationship with Ms Crilly, which became a ‘source of concern’ to the authorities.
Before the death of Orianna, Chadwick was investigated by police about injuries to another child, referred to as Baby T.
The judge told him:
“While you remained under investigation, it was made clear to you that you were to avoid contact with children.
“Certainly, you well knew you were not to be left with a child in your sole care.”
Chadwick lied to a probation officer, telling them he had no contact with Orianna.
While pointing out Chadwick was never charged with an offence, the judge said him being found guilty of Orianna’s murder ‘strengthens the suspicion’ that he was responsible for Baby T’s injuries.
Orianna was described as being ‘clever’ and ‘funny’, and health care professionals who visited her said she was ‘generally happy’.
But before being murdered, she had suffered fractured ribs and a broken vertebra in her neck.
The judge said it was not clear who was responsible for those injuries.
On the day that baby Orianna was brutally murdered, Chadwick was left alone with her when her mother, Crilly went to the doctors with his sister.
When they returned about an hour later, Orianna was ‘almost lifeless’.
She had suffered two ‘very severe blows’ to her skull, prosecutor Peter Wright QC said.
It is not clear how Chadwick inflicted the injuries.
A pathologist said they were consistent with a ‘high speed road traffic accident’ or a ‘multi-storey fall’.
Duncan Thorpe, Senior Investigating Officer of GMP’s Major incident Support Unit, said:
“This is a heartbreaking case in which an innocent baby was murdered by a man who should have cared for her, and our thoughts are with the family at this incredibly distressing time.
“Little Orianna was found to have extremely severe head injuries, and the explanation given by Chadwick as to how she received these injuries was not compatible with the evidence.
“It’s absolutely horrific that anyone could inflict such an attack on an innocent baby but Orianna will never be forgotten.
“I am confident that today we have managed to secure her some justice and Orianna will certainly not be forgotten by our investigation team.”
To stay up-to-date with more news relating to the frontline work of the emergency services, then remember to follow us on Twitter.
Our handle is @ES_News_ and remember to also subscribe to our free newsletter so that you never miss out on our top stories and videos – Subscribe HERE.
Got a story? please email our team: contact@emergency-services.news
Before you go...
In a world where mainstream media narratives often eclipse the harsh realities faced by our valiant men and women in the emergency services, we at Emergency Services News have made it our mission to bring these overlooked stories into the spotlight.
Our team is exclusively composed of dedicated volunteers, all veterans of the emergency services. They commit their time and expertise to this cause, not for financial gain, but out of a shared passion to honour their colleagues and dispel the misconceptions that mainstream media perpetuates.
Despite running at a loss, we persist. We believe in the importance of our mission - to elevate the dignity and courage of those who risk their lives for us every single day. But we need your help.
Your donation directly sustains ESN, enabling the continuous delivery of authentic, critical stories often overlooked by mainstream media. We deeply appreciate your support, which enables us to further our mission of delivering important, underreported stories. Thank you for standing with us and thank you for supporting our team of former emergency services & HM Forces personnel.
You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.
Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.
This piece of rubbish is why we need the death penalty reinstated in this country.