Who was Alfie Phillips and what happened to him?
IN November 2020, 18-month-old Alfie Phillips died following a night of “violent discipline” in a caravan in Kent.
Alfie Phillips suffered 70 injuries to his body at the hands of his mother, Sian Hedges, and her former partner Jack Benham.
Who was Alfie Phillips?
Alfie Phillips was 18 months old when he tragically died on November 28, 2020.
During a nine-week trial at Maidstone Crown Court, Alfie was described as “good as gold” and “lively” by his father, Sam Phillips, who said there was “never a dull moment” with him and that he was always playing and laughing.
Maidstone Crown Court also heard how Alfie’s mother, Sian Hedges, had considered adoption after she fell pregnant with the little boy in September 2018 but eventually decided to keep the baby.
The youngster was a "normal, healthy baby who grew and thrived during the early months of his life", it was said.
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But jurors were told this changed when Hedges began a relationship with Benham after separating from Alfie's father.
What happened to Alfie Phillips?
The 18-month-old had been subjected to a campaign of abuse at the hands of his mum Sian Hedges, and her ex-partner Jack Benham.
Family members started to notice bruises on the tot, which Hedges blamed on him being "clumsy".
In September 2019, the youngster was also taken to a medical centre, where staff noted that he had a cut under his eye.
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During this time, Alfie’s mother and her former partner shared horrific messages that hinted at the abuse the 18-month-old was suffering.
In one, Hedges wrote: "Little s**t bit my arm this morning, f***ing hurt".
Benham responded by suggesting she should bite the tot back "but not as hard".
On the night Alfie was killed, the couple was accused of "meting out some sort of aggressive, violent ‘discipline' at a caravan in Hernill, Kent.
A day prior to Alfie’s death, the youngster was seen by Benham's family looking "well and without injuries".
However, Alfie was later taken back to a caravan home located in Kent and at 11.30 am the following day, Benham emerged carrying the baby who was not breathing.
Prior to the arrival of paramedics, Benham's mother performed CPR but it was immediately apparent Alfie had been dead "for some time".
Following his death, a post-mortem revealed that Alfie had sustained a "myriad of bruises", multiple fractures to several ribs, his sternum, both arms, and his left and right big toe, and human bite marks.
Alfie Phillips was left with 70 separate injuries, signs of smothering to his lips and mouth, and traces of cocaine were also discovered in his body.
What have Sian Hedges and Jack Benham been convicted of?
Following a nine-week trial at Maidstone Crown Court, in 2023, Sian Hedges and Jack Benham were found guilty of Alfie’s murder.
Jurors took nearly 10 hours to reach a unanimous guilty verdict.
Sian Hedges and Jack Benham had denied murdering the toddler during the trial.
On January 12, 2024, both Hedges and Benham were jailed for life.
Hedges will serve a minimum of 19 years in prison and Benham will serve at least 23 years.
In a victim impact statement read in court, Alfie's father Sam Phillips said: "After the trial we still feel we deserve answers. I will never know the truth about what happened to my son.
"I never got to hear him say his first proper words, I never got to have a conversation with him, I was robbed of the opportunity to see him grow up."
Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Kathleen Way, said: "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.
"Throughout the investigation they refused to admit what they had done and chose to put the rest of Alfie’s family, who loved him dearly, through the ordeal of a trial. As a result they had to hear the grim catalogue of injuries and abuse he had suffered.
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"This was a harrowing case for all those involved including experienced officers who remained focused on the investigation and ensured evidence was recovered to ensure Alfie received some justice for the ending of his short life.
"I would like to thank Alfie’s father and other family members who supported our investigation throughout and I hope these sentences offer them some closure."