Mother and partner jailed for toddler's violent death

A mother and her partner were jailed over the death of her 15-month-old son, who was shaken and beaten to death.

Jake Drummond, 33, carried out a series of sadistic assaults on 15-month-old Jacob Lennon in the weeks before his death in August 2019.

The infant's mother, 32-year-old Louise Lennon, not only failed to stop the abuse but also joked with Drummond, blamed another child for injuries, and lied to social services.

Drummond's fatal attack on the boy at his home in Putney, southwest London, left him with a face so bruised and swollen he was described as looking like a panda.

Drummond was convicted of murder and wounding with intent following a trial at the Old Bailey. Lennon was convicted of causing or allowing Jacob's death. She admitted a further charge of child cruelty partway through the trial.

The judge, Mr Justice Sweeting, jailed Drummond for life with a minimum term of 32 years for the murder. He also imposed a sentence of six years, to run concurrently, for the wounding offence.

Lennon was jailed for 10 years for causing or allowing her son's death, with a second sentence of six years, also to run concurrently, imposed for child cruelty.