Drug-Using Dad Sentenced Life for Murdering Five-Week-Old Baby

Thomas Holford was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 16 years for the murder of his five-week-old daughter, Everleigh Stroud, whom he violently shook causing catastrophic brain injuries. The assault occurred after Everleigh interrupted Holford's late-night gaming session, and he had been under the influence of cannabis at the time, having smoked at least five joints the day before. Despite the child's severe injuries, including brain hemorrhages, bone fractures, and an anal injury, Holford showed little emotion and continued playing games on his phone while emergency services attended. Everleigh was found barely breathing by her grandmother and later died 13 months after the assault. Medical evidence confirmed that the injuries were consistent with being gripped tightly and violently shaken, and Holford was found guilty of murder after initially pleading guilty to manslaughter. The judge highlighted the lasting impact on Everleigh's family, describing how Holford robbed them of any deep happiness for the rest of their lives.