Step-mother jailed for child abuse has sentence reduced

A woman who tortured her 10-year-old step-daughter over a
six-week period had her sentence reduced by an appeal court,
writes Shirley Kumar.

The woman from Margate in Kent, who cannot be named for legal
reasons, locked the girl in a shed with no lighting, food, water,
or suitable clothing. The girl was rescued by police after a
passer-by heard her cries for help.

Canterbury Crown Court had sentenced the woman to two-years in
jail earlier this year after she pleaded guilty to child cruelty
and common assault. The girl’s father was given an 18-month
sentence suspended for two years after admitting child cruelty.

The step-mother had admitted beating the girl almost every day
over a six-week period because of the child’s behaviour and
actions which included stealing.

However, London’s Criminal Appeal Court concluded
“with some hesitation” that the step-mother’s
sentence was too long and reduced it to 18 months, despite noting
she had shown no remorse.

 A recent prison report said she had made suicide and self-harm
attempts and continued to see herself as a victim.