Alfie Lamb Car Seat Killer Locked Up for 7½ Years
A man has been jailed for seven and a half years after causing the tragic death of three-year-old Alfie Lamb, who was crushed by a car seat. Stephen Waterson, 26, of Croydon, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by gross negligence at the Old Bailey on 14 November.
How Alfie Died: A Car Seat Horror
Alfie died on 1 February 2018 after suffering fatal crush injuries caused by an electric car seat in an Audi convertible. The toddler was placed in the footwell, squeezed between his mother’s legs and behind Waterson’s seat.
Waterson moved the seat back to get more space, unknowingly pinning Alfie beneath it with up to 81kg of force. Paramedics found burst blood vessels around Alfie’s eyes – a sign of suffocation. The pathologist confirmed Alfie died from crush asphyxia.
Cover-Up and Lies
Waterson and Alfie’s mother lied about the events, falsely claiming Alfie became unresponsive in a taxi. They maintained the lie to police officers and paramedics on the scene. Text messages revealed the pair stayed in contact while Alfie was in hospital, with one message saying, “They know we are lying.”
Waterson also gave the police a false name and tried to sell the Audi just days later. The car was recovered for forensic analysis.
Trial Shocking Revelations
- Waterson had tried to stop another man from speaking about the accident by assaulting him.
- Detected intimidating a witness and perverting the course of justice.
- Guilty pleas and convictions carried sentences running consecutively to his manslaughter term, totaling seven and a half years.
Emilie Williams, 20, who was involved in the cover-up, received a five-month suspended sentence and 100 hours of unpaid work.
Justice for Alfie
“Stephen Waterson has consistently tried to dodge responsibility for Alfie’s death,” said Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding. “His lies only prolonged the family’s agony. We hope this sentence finally brings some justice to Alfie’s loved ones.”
Alfie’s family said: “We are utterly devastated by Alfie’s death. No sentence will ever be enough. But today, justice has prevailed and we can finally remember Alfie in peace.”
