Scott Coombe, a devout Christian and postman, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for the killing of his girlfriend’s 18-month-old son, Andrew Cawker. The tragic incident occurred on July 22, 2019, when Coombe lost control and fatally injured the toddler. Coombe, who had become irritated with Andrew, threw the child to the floor, leading to head injuries that proved fatal a few days later.
Coombe immediately called emergency services, reporting that Andrew appeared “a bit stiff” and had suddenly collapsed while at his girlfriend’s flat in southeast London. Despite his attempts to get medical help, Andrew succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
In court, Coombe admitted to manslaughter, acknowledging that he became frustrated, shook Andrew vigorously, and threw him in a moment of anger and frustration. This basis for his guilty plea was accepted by the prosecution.
Tamika Beaton, the child’s mother, was also implicated in the case. Beaton, 25, from Peckham, southeast London, was found guilty of child cruelty for wilfully neglecting to protect her son from harm. She had initially blamed the child’s injuries on his father, Ben Cawker, and described Andrew as “clumsy” to divert attention from the abuse.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC sentenced Coombe to nine years in prison, emphasizing the history of violence and abuse towards Andrew, who was particularly vulnerable due to his age. Coombe was found guilty of manslaughter, child cruelty, and assaulting the toddler.
Regarding Beaton, the judge sentenced her to 12 months in custody, suspended for 18 months. He criticized her for being fully aware of Andrew’s injuries and failing to provide a satisfactory explanation for them.
The court heard that Beaton had started an affair with Coombe shortly after Andrew’s birth, putting her interests before her son’s welfare. Andrew had begun displaying regular bruising by March 2019, but Beaton continued to allow Coombe to care for him despite the obvious risks.
The case revealed the tragic consequences of negligence and abuse, leading to a young child’s untimely death and serious legal consequences for those involved.
