Hernhill, Kent – A tragic case has come to a close as the mother of an 18-month-old boy and her former partner have been given life sentences for his murder. The toddler, Alfie Phillips, suffered 70 injuries to his body, including a “myriad of bruises” and broken ribs, arms, and legs, in what prosecutors described as a night of “violent discipline,” before being beaten and smothered in a caravan in Kent.
Sian Hedges, 27, and her ex-boyfriend Jack Benham, 35, had been drinking whisky and taking cocaine, with traces of the Class A drug found in Alfie’s body. Both were found guilty of murdering the toddler in Benham’s caravan in Hernhill, near Faversham, Kent, on 28 November 2020.
The sentencing saw Benham jailed for a minimum term of 23 years while Hedges was given a minimum term of 19 years. Following the guilty verdicts in November, Alfie’s father, Sam Phillips, described his son as “good as gold” and “lively,” adding there was “never a dull moment” with him.
The court heard Benham and Hedges started a relationship in September 2020 after meeting at a mutual friend’s house where they would buy drugs. They gave explanations for earlier injuries Alfie suffered in the months before his death, claiming he cut his eye when playing with keys and hurt his fingers when they were caught in a dog gate.
Prosecutors accused Benham of lying and stated that it was clear that he had deliberately injured Alfie on more than one occasion, leading to the assault that resulted in his death. Both defendants agreed to mete out aggressive, violent discipline to Alfie that night, resulting in his tragic death.
In a victim impact statement, Mr. Phillips expressed his anguish, stating, “After the trial we still feel we deserve answers. I will never know the truth about what happened to my son.” Will Bodiam from CPS South East, commented, “This is an absolutely tragic case. Alfie was killed by the two people, one of whom was his own mother, who were responsible that night for looking after him and protecting him.” The devastating impact of the brutal act has left a lasting impact on all involved.