Tragic Death of Toddler Kaylee-Jayde Priest Shocks Solihull
Kaylee-Jayde Priest, a young child, was found dead at her Solihull flat on 9 August last year. She lived there with her mother, Nicola Priest, 23.
Parents Cleared of Murder But Guilty of Manslaughter
Priest and her lover, Callum Redfern, 22, were cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter. Kaylee-Jayde died from serious chest and abdominal injuries. The court heard the child was already dead before her mother made the emergency 999 call.
Horrific Abuse Revealed in Court
Medical exams uncovered historic injuries including broken ribs, fractures in her lower leg, and a broken sternum. Jurors heard that Nicola Priest and Redfern were in a close sexual relationship during this time.
Neighbours reported hearing bangs and Kaylee crying fearfully. One witness recalled Priest saying, “I’ll just say she fell off the bed.” Others noticed how the child’s crying was often drowned out by loud music.
Shocking Messages Exposed in Texts
In chilling text messages from 24 July – just days before Kaylee’s death – Nicola told Redfern:
“I’m gonna kill her… because she keeps leaving the living room or going in the kitchen, so I’ve paled her one and smacked her for her nappy.”
Redfern replied, “Good – give her one from me.” Nicola confirmed, “I will, babe.”
Nicola was also found guilty of cruelty to a child linked to Kaylee’s historical injuries, though Redfern was cleared of this charge.
Both are from the West Midlands and will be sentenced this Friday.
