Kate Roughley sentencing LIVE as nursery worker told ‘I am dead inside’ and ‘you are a child killer’ by parents of tragic Genevieve Meehan

The judge said she has considered the issue of dangerousness under sentencing provisions, adding: “I am of the opinion you do not pose a serious risk of significant harm to members of the public and the Crown does not seek to persuade me to the contrary.”

Mrs Justice Ellenbogen said there is little mitigation, adding: “You have steadfastly refused to acknowledge any action of yours that caused her death.”

She said her comments about having Genevieve in her thoughts showed ‘no genuine remorse’.

Summarising Genevieve’s eldest sister’s statement, she said: “My younger sister should have experience of having two older sisters – This has changed my life forever.”

“Equally in her father’s statement, she said he explains the pain and horror you have caused and your actions have shattered his heart and soul. He said he will never forgive himself for leaving his daughter there.”

“Genevieve’ parents have nothing for which to be forgiven. They left Genevieve in care of qualified staff – for no criticism can be attached to them.”

Your interactions with her showed you palpably lacked any care for her. I accept the staff to child ratio fell below national standards. But that did not bring about circumstances in which you put her to sleep.

At your hands, her parents and grandparents have lost their sunny, funny little girl. The last photo of her shows a bright, happy baby. By your callous acts, you have deprived her of her life. Her mother describes how Genevieve and her sister had become inseparable.

From the CCTV it is apparent, at best, you considered Genevieve to be a nuisance and displayed apathy towards her.

On morning 9 May you berated her for only sleeping for 20 minutes having called her vile. She was placed on a beanbag, notwithstanding her kicking wriggling, her tears, you failed to check.

Her crying intensified, carrying a grunting tone, even then you didn’t approach her, pick her up or show concern for her welfare. You left her to die.

The judge tells Roughley:

As common knowledge and safe sleep practice, a baby is required to be placed to sleep on its back. You told the jury you understand the importance of adhering to the nursery’s policy on safe sleeping.

As an NVQ level 3 qualified nursery worker you had been trained in safe sleep practice. You had 17 years experience. By May 9 you had been working in the baby room for over 2 years and failed to adhere to any requirements of safe sleep practice.

In evidence,you said your swaddling of her had not been so tight as to restrict her ability to move and her blanket had not covered her head. You said your title as deputy ensured no further responsibility and management condoned practices you adopted.

There had been two cots available at the time. By its verdict the jury has rejected your evidence. Had you conducted such checks, Genevieve’s distress would have been abundantly apparent. Mere visible checks from a distance were woefully inadequate.

The judge adds:

During the afternoon you put Genevieve down to sleep on a beanbag, tightly swaddled her, restricting her ability to move and placed a blanket over her. As harrowing video and audio shows, you left her, only carrying out the most cursory of checks, her increasing distress most apparent. She can be seen desperately moving her body and crying and coughing. In doing so, she sank further into the soft beanbag because exhausted and overheated.

I am certain that every person in this courtroom was willing you to pick her up and remove her from danger from where you placed her – knowing that you would not.

The judge is back in court. She tells Roughley: “Genevieve Zofia Meehan – she was adored by her parents and wider family. She was enrolled at Tiny Toes Nursery. She died whilst in your charge.”

Mrs Justice Ellenbogen has risen to consider her sentence. The hearing has been briefly adjourned.

“What has happened will have a serious impact on her for quite some time,” Ms Elliott continued.

“This is quite clearly an appalling case and she will receive a lengthy custodial experience. Nothing said on her behalf is sought to minimise the impact on the family of Genevieve. It is also right to say Kate Roughley’s life is ruined by what she has done.

“She is devastated by her actions. She is not a monster. We accept the dreadful impact this has had and will always have on Genevieve’s family. We submit that the court should not accept she was cold-hearted and callous. More accurately described as careless, unthinking and exasperated. The behaviour of a woman at the end of her tether. She undoubtedly failed Genevieve – she also failed herself.”

Ms Elliott KC said the court should consider whether Roughley was failed by senior leaders at the ‘dangerously understaffed’ nursery.

Ms Elliott KC tells the court:

She says Genevieve is always her first thought in the day, and her remorse for Genevieve’s family. She went straight away to get help for her.

She added that the court pays mind to her ‘unblemished’ record at the nursery, and her work with children with disabilities. “Her behaviour should be seen in context of gross understaffing and inadequate support,” she added.

“It’s highly likely when she faces reality of situation, she will need assistance with that.”

Mr Reid Kc is discussing sentencing guidelines. He said the starting point for sentence is 12 years, with a range of eight to 18 years.

“The aggravating features include that the victim is particularly vulnerable due to her tender age,” he said. He added that there were other children in the room at the time.”

Mitigating for Roughley, Sarah Elliott KC said there is no dispute regarding sentencing guidelines.

The court heard that Roughly has no previous convictions. She has kept her head down throughout.

Mr Meehan added:

Because of your actions her little body suffered gross indecency of invasive CPR and post mortem. You have shown no remorse at all for her life. You could have taken responsibility.

You are cold and callous and cruel. I have a beautiful daughter and her name is Genevieve. I could not have known, someone paid and trusted to provide her care, that she was not to receive that cadre. She loved to laugh, spend time with her sister, she loved to play with a tambourine, and to play with her dog.

To you, you have no legacy. You are a child killer. She has a legacy. I am so proud of her, and for as long as I am living I will always say I have a beautiful daughter and her name is Genevieve.

John Meehan said:

I have a beautiful daughter, her name is Genevieve. She won’t get to experience those moments that make life so wonderful. Your callous disregard for her life. I will never comfort her when she is nervous on the first day of school. I won’t be able to pick her up and hold her when she has fallen. I will not hear her first words. Your actions have shattered my heart and soul. I have a beautiful daughter, her name is Genevieve. She did not know, either could we, every interaction for you with her was in inconvenience to you. You put your personal convenience above her.”

Of Kate Roughley, Ms Meehan said:

She has lied throughout this trial. We found her evidence without compassion grossly insulting, and had to listen to lie after lie about Genevieve. None of it was true, despite out daughter’s distress so clear on CCTV. She was discussed as a piece of evidence – she was a person, she had a happy life and full of promise, that was destroyed.

Gigi’s mum adds: “I want the world to know how loved she was, and how desperate I am to hold her, to feel her cheek next to mine. My little Gigi was – and is – a beautiful soul, the image of her Daddy and the light of our lives.”

Gigi’s big sister said: “Every day I get punched with sadness. What this lady has done is terrible and nobody should experience this’.”

Ms Wheeler’s statement adds: “I am dead inside and incapable of living. She is my little girl, she lived inside me – she is a part of me.”

I feel so ashamed and I was ignorant at the time at what was to come. As mother mother, I feel I should known she was going to die.

In hospital I ran to her and saw her lying on the bed surrounded by more doctors than I had ever seen. I held her for hours after she died until she felt heavy and her face started to change. I did not want to let her go.

Ms Wheeler continues:

My love for her can simple not be put into words. Words are simply inadequate. Baby Gigi and her sister were inseparable. Their relationship was beautiful. Her sister did everything with me. My life was complete with my children.

Kate Roughley has been brought into the dock. She is flanked by one dock officer.

Mrs Justice Ellenbogen has come into court.

Genevieve’s family has been brought into court.

The courtroom is filling. Members of the press, public and eight jurors have returned to watch today’s hearing.

We are due to get started at 2pm.

It happened in a place that should have been safe and secure. Countless books were stacked around the numerous cots, bean bags, blankets and high chairs. Huge fluffy bears and bunnies were dotted about the spongy playmat and in amongst it all, very young babies babbled and squealed as they played together.

They relied solely on those around them to care for them, play with them and keep them safe.

Little Genevieve Meehan was one of them. At just nine months and 21 days old, her life was cut short in the most horrific of circumstances by someone she should have been able to trust.

More HERE.

Images of baby Genevieve were released by her parents following Roughley’s conviction.

More HERE.

Kate Roughley – who swaddled Genevieve Meehan and strapped her face down on a bean bag before ignoring her cries for an-hour-and-a-half – was found guilty of manslaughter on Monday.

The 37-year-old showed ‘hostility’ towards the nine-month-old, who was in her care at Tiny Toes Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, in the days leading up to her death.

The M.E.N’s story from Monday, when Roughley was convicted, can be read HERE.

Good afternoon. The Manchester Crown Court hearing should begin after 2pm. We’ll bring you the latest updates in this live blog.