Kevin Eves, of Wixams, near Bedford, smothered Harper Denton and left her with numerous fractures, including one to her skull, in June 2018 she was just 8 weeks old at the time.
The 37-year-old had previously been jailed in 2006 for assaulting a toddler in his care according to the trial at the Old Bailey. He will serve a minimum of 20 years with many on social media saying that life should mean life.
Eves was previously jailed for nine years in 2006 – when known as Forbes – for causing grievous bodily harm with intent and wilfully assaulting a toddler in his care when living in Bournemouth. He was released in 2010.
The boy suffered life-threatening head injuries and fractures to his elbow.
Sentencing Eves, Mrs Justice O’Farrell said the “protracted and escalating violent attacks” he carried out on Harper were “cruel, brutal and vicious”.
“Unfortunately you did not have the instincts to protect and nurture that most parents have.
“You were insensitive to the fragility of your baby and you were unable or unwilling to put her needs before your own comfort. You had uncontrolled rage.”
Harper’s Mother said: “My beautiful girl had her future stolen from her by somebody that she should have been able to trust and count on for the whole duration of her life – a life that should have lasted longer than eight weeks.”
Harper’s grandmother, Debbie Denton, said the loss of the “loved and adored” child “shook this family to its core”.
“Mr Eves serves no purpose within a tight-knit family and certainly not amongst children. Had we known this, he would have never been welcomed into ours.”
After the sentencing, Colin Foster, director of children’s services at Bedford Borough Council, said a serious case review was being carried out.
“The Eves family were not known to social services in Bedford Borough and the authority was not made aware of the previous convictions,” a statement said.
A spokesperson for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Baby Harper suffered immensely in her short life at the hands of the person who should have been protecting and looking after her. The injuries she sustained were horrific and the fact they were deliberate is even more shocking.”
Unity News Network (UNN) Staff Writer | To find out more details about our staff, please head to the About Us section on our website.
