A MUM continually lied to police after her twisted boyfriend killed her 11-week-old son by smashing his head against a hard surface.
The moment that Lucci Smith, 29, told detectives at Cambridgeshire Police that she cared about baby Teddie more than “anything in the world” is captured on Channel 4’s 24 Hours in Police Custody.
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Kane Mitchell, 31, killed baby Teddie in November 2019and inflicted a “catalogue” of injures from the day he was born.
Mum Lucci was on a school run when the fatal injuries were convicted, but delayed calling for any medical assistance.
Tragic Teddie’s suffered injuries consistent with being “gripped hard”, “shaken vigorously”, and “having his head struck against a hard surface”.
Detectives compared his injuries to that of Baby P, with a post mortem revealing the tot had a fracture skull, bleed on the brain and several broken bones.
During an interview Lucci was asked by detectives how her son suffered those injuries and replied “no idea” before denying that she have “covered” for her partner.
She was quizzed further on her volatile relationship with Mitchell, initially denying that he had assaulted her.
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Smith was then asked again about how Teddie suffered the fatal injuries, but added: “If there was then I would say because he’s my son at the end of the day and he means more to me than anybody.”
Officers arrested the couple soon after he was rushed to hospital, with both exploding and swearing at the cops before bursting into tears.
The two part series shows Mitchell reacting aggressively to officers who suggested that he harmed the baby, raging “how dare you, I resent that.”
DI Lucy Thomson and her team were horrified to hear the number of injuries that were inflicted on Teddie.
Experts ruled that the tot suffered horrific injuries in at least five different violence incidents, from the day he was born in August 2019.
After a trial Smith was found guilty of cruelty to a child – but was acquitted on charges of causing or allowing death and serious injury.
The judge sentenced her to a two-year community order, noting that she had already spent several months in prison while remanded in custody ahead of her trial.
Cambridge Crown Court heard that Smith “cared about… and loved” Teddie, and that Mitchell was an “overbearing partner”.
HEINOUS CRIMES
Mitchell, who was not the tot’s dad, was jailed for life for the murder of Teddie, and must serve a minimum of 18 years.
Detective Inspector Lucy Thomson, who led the investigation, said: “This was a tragic and terrible case in which an 11-week-old baby lost his life at the hands of a person who should have been there to protect him.
“Our year-long investigation found that Teddie had suffered multiple horrific injuries during his short life, which neither Mitchell nor Smith could account for.
“Viewers will see the complexities and intricacies of such an emotive and tragic case.
“The show highlights that we will work tirelessly to bring those responsible for such heinous crimes to justice, no matter what it takes.
“We hope it will encourage anyone with any concerns for a child’s welfare to come forward and report it to us without delay.”
24 Hours In Police Custody: Cold To The Touch airs tonight and tomorrow at 9pm on Channel 4.
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Moment baby killer Kane Mitchell cries as he’s arrested
