A harrowing trial lasting more than seven weeks has concluded with the guilty verdicts for Sian Hedges, 26, and Jack Benham, 35, who have been found guilty of the murder of 18-month-old Alfie Phillips. The jury determined that the toddler was subjected to a “wicked and torturous attack” by the pair in a caravan on the outskirts of Faversham. Hedges and Benham now face life sentences for their heinous crime.
Alfie Phillips, an innocent child, tragically lost his life due to the brutal actions of his mother, Sian Hedges, and her then-boyfriend, Jack Benham. Throughout the trial, both defendants denied any involvement in harming the young boy, instead, they pointed fingers at each other.
The jury, however, saw through their lies and delivered two guilty verdicts following deliberations that began on Monday afternoon.
The trial painted a horrific picture of the suffering Alfie endured, revealing that he had sustained a shocking 70 visible injuries and multiple broken bones at the time of his death. Traces of cocaine were also found in his body, indicating that he had been exposed to the Class A drug shortly before his demise, a fact that both Hedges and Benham admitted to.
Alfie’s family, who had waited for justice for three long years, expressed their anguish at not having all the answers about the tragic events leading up to his death. They stated, “In these years, we have not had the closure, and even after the trial, we feel that we still deserve answers. The only people with these answers are Sian and Jack, but they have refused to say what happened to him. Still to this day, they have refused to take responsibility.”
The court heard that Alfie Phillips had 70 visible injuries, including multiple fractures to his arms, ribs, and legs. Forensic pathologist Dr. Virginia Fitzpatrick-Swallow, who led the medical investigation, identified these injuries as the result of a “significant and sustained assault.”
The shocking revelations detailed how Alfie was subjected to this abuse during the night of November 27 to 28, ultimately leading to his death. Both Hedges and Benham actively participated in the aggression, demonstrating a deliberate intent to harm the innocent toddler.
While the exact cause of Alfie’s death could not be conclusively determined due to the extent of his injuries, it was recorded as “unascertained – unnatural causes.” Dr. Fitzpatrick-Swallow suggested that Alfie may have been smothered or suffocated, or suffered respiratory failure due to fat emboli building up in his lungs following trauma to his body.
The trial further revealed text messages exchanged between Hedges and Benham, discussing biting Alfie and other abusive behavior towards him. These messages provided damning evidence of their involvement in the child’s suffering.
Alfie’s family continues to grapple with the pain of losing their beloved child under such horrific circumstances. “Our shining light, that shone so bright, will always be in our hearts. We have such special memories of our short time with Alfie, and these memories keep us going on the darkest of days,” they expressed.
Sian Hedges and Jack Benham are set to be sentenced at a later date. The verdict marks a step towards justice for Alfie and his grieving family, who have endured unimaginable pain due to the “wicked and torturous attack” that took their beloved child away from them.
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