Social services 'warned' about Kent baby killer

Christopher Sellman is due to be sentenced in April

A relative of a baby killed by her violent father in Kent claims he warned social services twice about the man before the child was born.

Christopher Sellman, 24, of The Hurst, Tonbridge, was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court of the manslaughter of 25-day-old Tiffany in November 2008.

The court heard that Sellman had a previous conviction for violence and had been cautioned for child cruelty.

Kent County Council said it would not comment until Wednesday.

'Not listened to'

The relative, who asked to remain anonymous, told the BBC he had contacted social services on two occasions to warn them that Sellman's partner was expecting a child.

He said: "I feel the information I passed on was not listened to.

"If they had done more checks on the computer, they may have found something out. Maybe the baby would have been better looked after."

Within 25 days of her being born prematurely, Tiffany suffered a fractured skull and died in hospital after being left in her father's care.

It is only right for all of the agencies involved to look at their practices and seek to learn lessons wherever possible. David Warlock Kent Safeguarding Children Board

The youngster's death has been the subject of a serious case review by the Kent Safeguarding Children Board, which is made up of representatives from the county council, police, health and court services.

David Warlock of the Kent Safeguarding Children Board said: "This is a very distressing case and I would like to express my sadness at Tiffany's death.

"The death of any child is deeply upsetting and when a child dies in these circumstances it is only right for all of the agencies involved to look at their practices and seek to learn lessons wherever possible.

"An independent expert from the NSPCC was commissioned by the Kent Safeguarding Children Board to take a thorough and impartial look at all of the agencies' actions to identify what lessons could be learned.

"The findings have been accepted and several recommendations made, all of which are being acted on.

"The Kent Safeguarding Children Board will monitor the impact of these on practice in Kent."