Couple jailed for 8 years for allowing their 16-week-old baby to die as they argued

 

A couple have been sentenced to eight years in jail each for allowing the death of their 16-week-old baby girl.
Exactly what happened to Tequiilah Burke was not known as her parents Paul Nicholson and Victoria Burke, from East Denton, Newcastle, denied responsibility.

They were convicted last week following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, during which the jury heard how the baby collapsed and died after she was assaulted while the adults argued in December 2013.
They were sentenced this morning after a short hearing.
The mother had been out all night working as a shots girl in a Tyneside club and Nicholson was unhappy she had been with other men.

 

The pair denied using violence towards the baby and told police they were not responsible for her death.
Jurors convicted Burke unanimously while Nicholson was found guilty by a majority verdict of 10-2.


Nicholson went on the run as the jury was about to be sent out, the Chronicle Reports.
He was arrested in Byker, Newcastle, yesterday and given an extra three months on his sentence as a result.
Mr Justice Jay sentenced the pair, after stressing to the court they were being punished on the basis of allowing the death rather than causing it.

 

He said: "Some of the remarks on social media...it’s as if I should be sentencing on the basis they both caused [her death], which is simply incorrect.
"If I moved to that position I would be ripping up 800 years of common law."
Timothy Roberts QC, for Burke, argued the case 'isn't serious enough' for the maximum sentence of 14 years
Burke sobbed as her barrister made reference to her being a ‘good mother’.

 

Toby Hedworth QC, for Nicholson, said he went on run because of news coverage of the case and threats made to him at a bail hostel.
Nicholson had been living rough since last Tuesday and his barrister said he is “frankly astonished he remained at liberty as long as he did”.