Father jailed for murdering daughter by assaulting her as a baby

A father, who had previously been in prison after he was convicted of assaulting his eight-week-old baby, has been jailed for life for murder after she died of her injuries.

Kyle Kitchen, 38, was initially jailed for hitting and vigorously shaking eight-week-old Primrose Kane in November 2014. The attack left Primrose with serious brain injuries and a fractured skull which left her disabled and requiring 24/7 care.

Primrose was placed into the care of her maternal grandmother, but the six-year-old sadly died as a result of her injuries in May 2021. Kitchen was then subsequently charged with Primrose’s murder.

Over the course of the four-and-a-half week trial at the Old Bailey, the jury heard from medical experts who had concluded that the cause of Primrose’s death was aspiration pneumonia caused by profound neurological, postural and developmental disability caused by the traumatic head injury inflicted on her at eight-weeks-old.

Kitchen was today (2 April) sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 17 years. The minimum term was reduced to factor in the time he has already served in prison for the conviction of assault on Primrose.

Kirsty O’Connor, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This is an utterly devastating case and our thoughts remain with Primrose’s family as they come to terms with their loss.

“It is unimaginable to think how someone could be capable of hurting such a young and vulnerable baby. It is a parent’s duty to keep their children safe and Kyle Kitchen not only failed to do that, but violently robbed Primrose of her life.

“Kitchen was handed a 15-year sentence after he was successfully prosecuted for the assault on Primrose, but sadly when Primrose died that sentence no longer reflected the harm he had caused.

“The evidence was clear that Primrose ultimately died as a result of the injuries Kitchen inflicted on her and therefore prosecuting him for her murder was our only option.

“We are pleased with the sentence handed to Kitchen today – which now holds him accountable for Primrose’s premature death and the pain she endured during her short life."