Katie Tidmarsh has been convicted of murdering a one year old in 2012 (Image: Leicestershire Police)
Katie Tidmarsh, 39, was found guilty of causing catastrophic ‘car-crash-like’ head injuries to little Ruby Thompson in August 2012.
Emergency services rushed to an address in Pickwell Close, Glenfield, Leicester and Ruby was taken to hospital where she died two days later.
A court heard Ruby had been placed in foster care following her birth in 2011 and began living with Tidmarsh and her husband in March 2012.
The couple had been approved for adoption and were in the process of adopting Ruby before her tragic death.
On the morning of August 11, 2012, a 999 call was made from the family address saying that Ruby had suffered a seizure.
It was reported Ruby was not breathing and she was taken to hospital where it was discovered she had catastrophic brain damage.
During her treatment, an x-ray found that Ruby had sustained a broken bone in her arm around two weeks before.
Ruby had been taken to hospital at the time where Tidmarsh claimed the tot had been knocked over by one of her dogs.
Despite the efforts of hospital staff, Ruby sadly died two days later.
A post-mortem examination later found Ruby had sustained a blunt force impact to the back of the head.
And later examinations of Ruby’s arm revealed two different fractures to the same area – the upper part of her right arm in the shoulder area.
In November of that year, Tidmarsh and a man were arrested on suspicion of murder.
In a police interview, they both maintained that the man had been outside when Tidmarsh had come rushing out saying Ruby was not breathing.
Tidmarsh claimed that she and Ruby had been sitting inside on a rug together when suddenly Ruby’s eyes rolled back and she fell backwards.
In February 2014, the CPS decided not to proceed with any charges against those arrested and both were released from police bail with no further action.
A subsequent inquest was held into Ruby’s death which concluded she died from a head injury; the cause of which could not be established.
Three years later in 2017, Tidmarsh became subject to separate court proceedings and additional medical experts were instructed for this hearing and Ruby’s case.
At the conclusion of the court hearing, a judge ruled that Tidmarsh had inflicted the injuries which resulted in Ruby’s collapse and death.
After further consultation between the police and the CPS and following additional medical expert evidence, a charge of murder was authorised.
Tidmarsh was arrested at her address in the village of Littlethorpe, Leicester, in July last year.
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Today (Thurs) she was convicted of murder of following a five-week trial at Leicester Crown Court.
She was also charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm relating to the previous arm break injuries caused to Ruby.
She was found guilty of one of these charges and not guilty of the other and will be sentenced tomorrow (Fri).
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Sinski, of Leicestershire Police, said: “It has taken over ten years to get this case to court and reach a successful guilty verdict.
“We never lost hope in seeking justice for Ruby and the absolute determination and commitment from the investigation and prosecution team has been undeniably vital in today’s result.
“The evidence presented to the court, evidence from some of the top medical experts in their respective fields, proved that Ruby’s head injury was caused by shaking and a high-energy impact and not from a low fall onto a thick rug as Tidmarsh had claimed.
“Tidmarsh has evaded justice since 2012 and will now be facing a lengthy sentence for her actions in taking the life of a young child, a child who was placed in her care to give her what was believed to be a better life.
“This has clearly been a very sad and tragic case and on reaching this verdict, I hope that Ruby can finally rest in peace.”
