10-month-old Jacob Crouch suffered ‘traumatic injury’ prior to his death, coroner confirms

A 10-month-boy suffered a traumatic injury before he died, a coroner has been told. Jacob Crouch died after he was discovered critically ill at an address in Linton, near Moira in 2020 and his mother and step-father were later charged with murder.

Jacob died at the Royal Derby Hospital and his death was reported to the coroner’s office on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, by police. An inquest was formally opened at a hearing on Tuesday, (August 9), at which no family members were present.

Sophie Lomas, assistant coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, confirmed Jacob’s identity and address before reading out out the findings of a post-mortem examination, conducted by Dr Mike Biggs at the Royal Derby Hospital on Wednesday, January 4, 2021.

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A medical cause of death had been recorded as peritonitis – an infection – and traumatic bowel perforation, Ms Lomas said. Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneum, a lining which surrounds the abdominal organs, typically caused by bacterial infection either via the blood or after rupture of an abdominal organ, DerbyshireLive reports.

In a statement from a coroner’s officer, Ms Lomas said: “The death of Jacob Crouch was reported to our office on December 30, 2020, by Derbyshire police. He died on December 30, 2020, at the Royal Derby Hospital. Jacob Crouch was identified by his mother, Gemma Barton.

“A standard post-mortem examination was carried out on January 4, 2021, by Dr Mike Biggs. The medical cause of death was given as peritonitis and traumatic bowel perforation.”

Ms Lomas continued: “I am satisfied I have sufficient evidence as to the person who has died. I also have a medical cause of death which includes a traumatic injury, and it is that which triggers the requirement for a coroner to hold an inquest. In terms of process moving forward, there is a legal requirement that a coroner must suspend an inquest when they have evidence or when they are told that persons may be charged in respect of the person’s death.

“In Jacob’s case, the Coroner’s Office was informed on July 6, 2022, that two people have been charged with Jacob’s death and homicide offences. It is necessary for me to suspend the coroner’s process while we await the outcome of that criminal investigation.

“I am going to formally adjourn the inquest. It will have to be considered whether this is resumed once the outcome of criminal proceedings are known. It will take some time before that is considered.”

Gemma Barton, 32, of Ray Street, Heanor, Derbyshire, and Craig Crouch, 38, of Donisthorpe Lane, Moira, near Ashby, North West Leicestershire, were arrested on January 5, 2021, on suspicion of Jacob’s murder. Both were bailed while inquiries continued into the incident.

They appeared at Derby Crown Court on Thursday, July 7, this year having been charged with a single count of murder the day before. Neither have entered any pleas, but a provisional trial date has been set to June next year, with a time estimate of six weeks.

The pair will appear in court again on Friday, September 9, 2022.

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