Bipolar Mum Journey

On paper, I’m a criminal a violent former inmate. You might think I have no right to judge anyone after stabbing two people in on the same night. But let me be clear: both were adult men. One was tragically caught in the crossfire, but the other was a known abuser, a man who targeted women and is now listed under Clare’s Law. Neither of them were defenceless, they could have stopped me, if only they’d had the chance before I stopped myself.

Children, on the other hand, are defenceless. I will never justify or excuse any adult who kills a child. Below is a list of women who have killed children including one I personally served time with.

Recent Cases:

• Lucy Letby (2023–2024)

Former neonatal nurse convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others (2015–2016). Serving a whole-life sentence.

• Louise Porton (2019)

Murdered her two daughters, aged 3 years and 17 months (2018). Sentenced to life with a minimum of 32 years.

• Kathryn Smith (2016)

Found guilty of murdering her 21-month-old daughter, Ayeeshia Jane Smith (2014). Sentence reduced to 19 years on appeal.

• Maxine Robinson (1995, confession in 2004)

Initially convicted of murdering two of her children. In 2004, confessed to a third killing from 1989.

• Jia Xin Teo (2024)

Student convicted of murdering her newborn baby (2022). Sentenced to life imprisonment.

• Veronique John (2023)

Killed her two children and stabbed her husband. Found unfit to plead; faced trial of facts.

• Rachel Tunstill (2017)

Murdered her newborn daughter in 2017. Sentenced to 17 years; died in prison in 2023.

• Paris Mayo (2023)

Murdered her newborn son in 2019 shortly after giving birth at home. Convicted in 2023.

• Amanda Hutton (2013)

Convicted of manslaughter after her son Hamzah, 4, died from neglect and starvation. Left his body in a cot for two years.

• Rebecca Shuttleworth (2013)

Murdered her 2-year-old son Keanu Williams after long-term abuse. Received a life sentence.

• Rekha Kumari-Baker (2009)

Stabbed her two daughters, aged 13 and 16, a total of 69 times while they slept. Sentenced to life with a minimum term of 33 years.

Victims of Female-Perpetrated Abuse Leading to Murder:

• Tracey Connelly – Mother of Baby P (Peter Connelly)

Baby P died in 2007 after suffering over 50 injuries. Tracey Connelly allowed and contributed to the abuse. Sentenced to indefinite imprisonment (minimum 5 years).

• Frankie Smith – Mother of Star Hobson

Star was murdered in 2020 by Smith’s partner after months of abuse. Smith convicted of causing or allowing the death and sentenced to 12 years.

Historical Cases:

• Rebecca Smith (1849)

Last woman hanged in Britain for infanticide. Poisoned her infant and confessed to killing seven other children.

• Amelia Dyer (1896)

Baby farmer who killed infants in her care. Convicted of one murder; suspected of up to 400. Executed in 1896.

• Amy Gregory (1895)

Convicted of murdering her daughter Frances Maud Gregory. Her case influenced reforms in infanticide law.

What drives mothers and women to kill children will we ever truly understand? I don’t think I’ll ever be able to make sense of it.

Evil