Child Cruelty Pair Slammed with Hefty Jail Terms After Appeal
In a shocking twist, Lorna and Christopher Dennington’s original jail sentences have been dramatically ramped up following outraged calls from the Solicitor General. The couple, accused of prolonged child cruelty, initially received a mere 12 months each but now face much stiffer punishments.
Lenient Sentences Overturned After Outcry
Back in September, Lorna Dennington was handed a 12-month sentence at Teesside Crown Court after admitting three charges of child cruelty. Her husband Christopher, 51, also got 12 months for child cruelty plus an extra charge of fraud. But the Solicitor General branded these sentences “unduly lenient.”
On Thursday 17 November, the Court of Appeal agreed. Lorna’s jail term was increased to a hefty four years and ten months, while Christopher’s stretch jumped to six years behind bars.
Horrific Abuse Spanning Years Revealed
Lord Justice William Davis exposed the extent of the cruelty, which stretched over more than a decade. One child suffered abuse from 2006 until 2017. Details revealed include:
- Lorna slapping children, punching one on the nose, and hitting another with a cupboard door
- Dragging a child by their hair from a bunk bed down stairs
- Using a kitchen scrubbing pad on a child’s skin for poor hygiene
- Forcing a teenager to eat their own vomit after being sick
Christopher was also found guilty of squandering nearly £58,000 from a child’s trust fund left after his father died. The victim lamented, “I am gutted that the money left to me after my father’s death is gone … They have taken away my dreams by stealing the money.”
Judges Condemn Original Sentences as ‘Wholly Unreasonable’
The court heard the pair cited mental health struggles and trauma, with Lorna admitting she felt overwhelmed caring for multiple children. But Lord Justice Davis slammed the initial sentences for giving too much credit for early guilty pleas and ignored the severity of the abuse.
“There was no proper basis to depart from the guideline,” he said. “These were wholly unreasonable sentences.”
The judge noted the abuse often happened in front of others, leaving victims feeling utterly hopeless. The original sentences were quashed and replaced with significantly longer custodial terms.
Solicitor General Welcomes Tougher Justice
After the hearing, Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:
“Christopher and Lorna Dennington both showed utter disregard for the welfare of the victims inflicting lasting and considerable harm on them. I welcome these increased sentences which better reflect the damage caused to these innocent lives.”
Both offenders appeared via video link from prison, Lorna at HMP Low Newton and Christopher at Holme House.
