LONDON, Jan 13, (Agencies): A mother and her partner in the UK have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of the woman's 18-month-old son during a night of violence in 2020. The Kent Police Department, in a news release, revealed that Sian Hedges, 27, and her partner Jack Benham, 35, will serve a minimum of 19 years and 23 years in prison, respectively, for the killing of Alfie Phillips.

During the court proceedings, prosecutors detailed the harrowing events of the night of November 28, 2020, when the toddler suffered a "sustained assault," resulting in the discovery of 70 separate injuries. Alfie exhibited internal bleeding, bruising, and fractures to his chest, ribs, feet, arms, and left leg. Additionally, he had facial injuries, bite marks on his body, and compelling evidence indicating smothering and the use of a weapon, as per the release.

Detective Chief Inspector Kathleen Way, the Senior Investigating Officer, expressed the profound cruelty inflicted upon Alfie, stating, "Hedges and Benham inflicted unimaginable suffering on Alfie during a night of violence. He should have been protected and loved by his mother, but instead lost his life in appalling circumstances."

On Nov 29, 2020, Hedges and Benham called emergency services to their residence, reporting the boy as unresponsive. They claimed to have shared a bed with him overnight, waking up at 11:30 am to find him in that state. Just an hour later, at 12:35 pm, Alfie was pronounced dead.

Medical professionals treating the boy observed multiple bruises and injuries, prompting the immediate arrest of the couple on the same day. Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate initiated an investigation, leading to murder charges against Hedges and Benham on March 6, 2023.

Following a nine-week trial at Maidstone Crown Court, Hedges and Benham were both found guilty of murder on Nov 30, 2023, and subsequently sentenced on Jan 12.