Woman who violently shook her partner's 18-month-old son to death is convicted of killing and jailed for 12 years

A woman who violently shook her partner's 18-month-old son to death is jailed.

Shannon Driver from Bexhill in East Sussex was sentenced to 17 years today at Lewes Crown Court, 12 years for the manslaughter of Jaxon Syrett with another five to be spent on extended licence.

The 27-year-old violently shook the baby, who died in hospital on September 24, 2020, after six days on life support.

The toddler suffered horrific injuries consistent with being gripped tightly around the chest while being shaken, swung and being thrown or slammed down on a hard surface. 

Father Kieran paid tribute to his 'innocent' son and his regrets of ever being in a relationship with Driver. 

Speaking to the Sun he said: 'I just have the memory of him helplessly laying in my arms when they turned the machines off. I couldn't believe this was real.

'I thought I trusted her with Jaxon. If I knew this is what she was capable of, I wouldn't have been with her and he would be here today.

'This has been an awful journey no parent should have to go through.

'There will always be unanswered questions, but nothing will bring Jaxon back.'

Driver had tried to claim that the 18-month-old had slipped and hit his head in the shower, but when paramedics arrived they noticed the child was dry and wearing a clean nappy.

She was not Jaxon's mother, but was looking after him while Kieran was at work despite only being allowed supervised visits with her own son.

Lewes Crown Court in Hove heard a family court ruling meant Driver was only allowed supervised contact with her own son and was not allowed to be left alone with other children.

On the afternoon of September 18, 2020, emergency services were called to Bexhill to a report of a seriously injured child.

Post mortem exams found Jaxon suffered significant non-accidental injuries suggesting inflicted trauma.

Jaxon's mum, Chloe Syrett, described him as a happy, healthy, normal baby, telling the court that she had insisted Driver never be left alone with her son.

She said: 'I knew she had a child that didn't live with her. I put it down to mental health because I knew she had mental health problems.

'I was concerned because she had lost her own child. I said I wanted her to know her place and not act like she was his mum.'

Following her conviction, Jaxon's family issued the following statement: 'The tragic loss of Jaxon has changed our lives forever. We will never see Jaxon's cheeky smile again, nor hear his infectious laugh and will miss every milestone Jaxon had to reach. Jaxon had his whole life ahead of him. We as a family hold and cherish every memory we have of Jaxon.

'We would like to thank everyone who has been involved with this investigation, and in getting a conviction and some kind of justice for our baby. The support we've been given in such devastating circumstances has been so appreciated.'

Investigator Dick Hemmings said: 'No jail sentence can make up for the unimaginable loss felt by Jaxon's family, and our thoughts remain with them as they have done throughout this investigation.

'I would like to thank them once again for the resilience they have shown in supporting this investigation, which was delayed multiple times during the court process.

'Shannon Driver has now faced justice for her crime. I hope this resolution allows Jaxon's family the time, space and privacy to come to terms with their tragic loss.'