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A mother has been handed a life sentence with a minimum term of nearly 19 years after being found guilty of murdering her daughter, who died at the age of two. Sarah Ngaba, 32, formerly from Telford, Shropshire, caused severe head injuries to her infant daughter Eliza in 2019. Although Ngaba admitted to inflicting “dreadful, life-shortening and life-limiting” skull fractures on Eliza, she denied the charge of murder before the trial concluded in May.
At Birmingham Crown Court, Ngaba was sentenced on Friday, with the judge ordering a life imprisonment term, specifying a minimum of 12 years and 154 days after accounting for time already served. Previously, Ngaba had been convicted in 2021 for wounding Eliza and had spent six years and 211 days behind bars. During sentencing, Justice Brunner KC remarked, “Eliza should have had a long and happy life,” highlighting Ngaba’s loss of control and her failure to fully confess to the incident. The judge also stated, “I’m satisfied you attacked her in a fit of rage,” underscoring the severity and intent behind the assault.
Eliza’s initial injuries resulted in profound disability, leaving her vulnerable to further health complications. The court heard that the baby succumbed to a respiratory infection linked to the earlier trauma, which left her compromised. Evidence presented to the jury showed that Eliza’s death would not have occurred if she had not sustained those earlier life-threatening injuries. Ngaba’s actions led to her being imprisoned in May 2021, after which Eliza was placed in foster care. Prosecutor Lisa Hancox explained the nature of the attack, noting it involved “two distinct and different mechanisms – that is shaking and impact,” and characterized the assault as prolonged. Hancox also described Ngaba’s cold response to Eliza’s collapse and growing hostility toward the child.
The judge emphasized that the attack was neither brief nor accidental, condemning Ngaba for deliberately concealing Eliza’s critical condition and prioritizing her own interests over her child’s well-being. Defence barrister Gordon Aspden KC mentioned Ngaba’s apparent rehabilitation during her imprisonment, saying she became a model prisoner with no violent behavior. Despite this, the court recognized the tragedy’s profound impact on all involved, especially Eliza’s loving foster parents, Laura and Gary Haynes, whom the judge praised for providing a stable and caring environment. The foster family expressed their heartbreak, stating: “Our time with Eliza was too short and our hearts are broken… We love her dearly and miss her terribly every day.”
Detective Chief Inspector Lee Holehouse, who led the investigation, described the case as “utterly heartbreaking.” He reflected on Eliza’s suffering and the cruel loss of her childhood at the hands of her mother. DCI Holehouse pointed out Ngaba’s lack of remorse and refusal to accept responsibility, while remembering Eliza as “an incredible little girl who despite her injuries and medical conditions was always smiling and laughing with those who loved her.” He noted that her foster family gave her the love she deserved, ensuring that despite her brief life, she knew she was cared for and cherished
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