A Ramsgate dad who shook his baby daughter “like a ragdoll” has had his life sentence ramped up after an appeal.
Brutal Attack Left Baby Everleigh Stroud Severely Injured
Thomas Holford was jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years for the murder of five-week-old Everleigh Stroud. Now, two more years have been added to his minimum sentence following a Court of Appeal ruling.
The court heard Holford’s “despicable” attack caused catastrophic brain damage, broken ribs and legs, anal injuries, and extensive bruising. Everleigh spent over a year in a vegetative state after the April 2021 assault. Life support was finally withdrawn in May 2022.
Appeal Cites Aggravating Factors Including Drug Intoxication
The appeal highlighted aggravating features that overshadowed any mitigation. Barristers revealed Holford was “heavily intoxicated with cannabis” during the fatal attack.
Lord Justice Edis said: “He was aware that if he took substantial quantities of cannabis, his ability to control himself may suffer. He nevertheless deliberately did that, knowing that in the night to come, he was to be the sole carer for his five-week-old daughter.”
“As matters turned out, he was therefore taking risks with her life that he had no right to take. That is a significant aggravating factor.”
A Shocking Night of Neglect and Tragedy
During the murder trial, it emerged Holford was a long-term drug addict who initially showed excitement and confidence caring for his daughter. However, on the tragic night, Everleigh’s mother, Casey, came home to find her baby struggling to breathe and the father asleep.
In a 999 call, the infant was described as barely conscious, swollen-eyed, cold to the touch and “in agony”. Meanwhile, Holford was calm and even asked police officers about what games he should download on his phone.
Court Battles Over Sentence Length
Jocelyn Ledward KC, representing the Solicitor General, argued that despite Holford’s lack of prior convictions and initial good care, his “voluntary and excessive” cannabis use made the original 16-year minimum term too lenient.
But Joanna Martin KC, defending Holford, insisted the original sentence was not “unduly lenient” despite its severity.
Lord Justice Edis backed the increased sentence, describing Everleigh as “as vulnerable as any human person could be” and condemning Holford’s “grievous” injuries.
“Everleigh’s mother bitterly regrets her decision to leave the child in the offender’s care that night and blames herself for what happened. In truth, the decision was a perfectly normal, rational one. It was tragic and has caused her to feel responsible in some way for her daughter’s death.”
