Baby killer given life sentence

A woman who killed her ex-husband seven years ago has been given a life sentence for murdering her baby.

Margaret Smith, 37, of Coltman Street, Hull, had been convicted by a jury at Leeds Crown Court on 21 October this year of murdering four-month-old Keith.

On Tuesday Mr Justice Bennett passed sentence for the "wicked" killing.

Smith, originally from Ayrshire, Scotland, said: "I never murdered him sir".

Cot death

The baby's death, and that of her five-month-old daughter Kelly two years earlier, had been put down to cot death.

But she was convicted of smothering the baby to death on 16 September 1994 as he was sleeping.

A seven-year-old girl - who gave crucial evidence against her at her trial - had watched the killing.

The mother-of-nine was cleared of murdering Kelly.

Mandatory sentence

Mr Justice Bennett said: "The law requires me to pass a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.

"To take the life of a baby, helpless and vulnerable, was a wicked thing to do.

"You snuffed out the life of your son.

"Why you did it must be a matter for speculation.

Earlier Anil Murray, for Smith, had begged the judge for mercy and said she suffered from a troubled childhood and was an alcoholic at the time.

In 1996 Smith had been convicted of the manslaughter of Robert Brannan - who was knifed 51 times in his bath - and sentenced to six years in jail.

Her second husband, Keith, was also found guilty of manslaughter and received the same sentence.