A British court has increased the prison sentence of a father who murdered his five-week-old daughter after government prosecutors successfully argued his punishment was dangerously inadequate for such a heinous crime against an innocent child.
Story Highlights
- Thomas Holford’s minimum sentence increased from 16 to 18 years for murdering his infant daughter
- Court found he deliberately consumed cannabis before becoming sole caregiver, leading to fatal attack
- Five-week-old Everleigh suffered catastrophic injuries and died after 14 months in vegetative state
- Solicitor General successfully challenged original sentence as unduly lenient under government scheme
Court Delivers Tougher Justice for Child Murder
The Court of Appeal ruled December 2, 2025, that Thomas Holford’s original 16-year minimum sentence failed to reflect the severity of murdering his five-week-old daughter, Everleigh Stroud. Three senior judges increased his minimum term to 18 years after Solicitor General Ellie Reeves challenged the Canterbury Crown Court’s July 2025 sentencing as unduly lenient.
Lord Justice Edis emphasized that Everleigh was “as vulnerable as any human person could be” when Holford inflicted catastrophic injuries including brain damage, leg fractures, rib fractures, and anal injuries.
Drug Use Enabled Deadly Child Abuse
Holford deliberately consumed “substantial quantities” of cannabis on April 20, 2021, despite knowing he would be the sole overnight caregiver for his infant daughter. The court determined this voluntary intoxication constituted a significant aggravating factor, as Holford was “aware that if he took substantial quantities of cannabis, his ability to control himself may suffer.”
Lord Justice Edis condemned Holford for “taking risks with her life that he had no right to take.” The following morning, Everleigh’s mother discovered her daughter barely breathing, cold to touch, and “in agony” with swollen eyes.
Infant Endured Prolonged Suffering Before Death
Everleigh spent over a year hospitalized in a vegetative state following the brutal attack at her grandparents’ home in Ramsgate, Kent. Medical professionals documented extensive trauma from the violent shaking that occurred while she was completely defenseless.
Life support was withdrawn on May 27, 2022, when Everleigh was 14 months old, ending her prolonged suffering from injuries that should never have occurred. The court noted the extraordinary vulnerability of the victim and the trust Holford violated as her caregiver.
Government Intervention Ensures Appropriate Punishment
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves utilized the Unduly Lenient Scheme to challenge Holford’s inadequate sentence, describing the case as “horrific and upsetting.” Reeves stated that Holford “consumed excessive amounts of drugs before violently attacking” his daughter, emphasizing that “Everleigh had her whole life ahead of her.”
The successful appeal demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring child murderers face consequences proportionate to their crimes. Holford, now imprisoned at HMP Long Lartin, showed no emotion when his sentence was increased and will not be eligible for parole consideration until at least 2039.
Sources:
Father who shook baby daughter to death has murder sentence increased – The Independent
Dad who murdered baby daughter has sentence increased – Kent Online
Father murdered baby daughter shaking sentence increased – Telegraph
