A YOUNG father has been jailed for nine years for the manslaughter of his two-month-old daughter but his partner had her nine-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months at Worcester Crown Court.

Tyler Vallance, now 21, of Engadine Road, The Oakalls, Bromsgrove, was initially charged with murder but later pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of baby Isabella. He was also sentenced to 18 months to run concurrently for wounding the child.

Jessica Wiggins, now 20 but 18 at the time of the child's death and formerly of Heathfield Road, Redditch, was given a nine-month sentence suspended for 12 months with supervision by the probation service for the same time. She was found guilty after trial of failing to ensure the safety of the child.

Prosecutor Christopher Hotten outlined the trials and tribulations of the pair after they set up home in Redditch. At one stage, they stayed with relations in Blackpool but there was little support for Jessica when she found herself pregnant. She realised that Tyler, who had a mental condition was subject to violent moods when he did not take his medication.

Neighbours told the court of their loud arguments and matters came to a head in 2012 following a 999 call because Isabella had gone lifeless and did not appear to be breathing. The baby recovered in hospital but eventually her condition worsened and she died after being transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital.

A post mortem showed the child had a brain injury, eight broken ribs and two broken legs. Experts concluded that the injuries could be the result of violent shaking, said Mr Hotten.

Vallance denied causing the injuries but eventually admitted on the day of his trial that he was guilty of wounding.

His barrister, Abigail Nixon, said he should be given credit for an early guilty plea despite his denials under police interview. She submitted that any injury had been caused through a momentary lack of self-control. He must live with the tragic consequences of a momentary act for the rest of life.

She admitted that he had been writing to a young girl while he was in prison and had been trying to shift blame onto Jessica.

Rachel Brand QC, for Jessica Wiggins, said there had been no obvious facial injuries on the child or marks to show she had been roughly gripped.It was a case where she ought to have seen reason because her partner had been violent with her. She thought he was a loving father although Isabella always seemed wary of him.

Miss Brand said Jessica had been unfairly subjected to public talk for two years that she was responsible for the death of her baby.

Judge Robert Juckes QC also made a sexual offences prevention order on Vallence, who had a previous conviction in 2013 for sexual activity with a girl under 16. He served six months in a young offenders institution.

The judge said the couple had been given every possible support by social services and other agencies. But matters came to a head when neighbours heard them arguing before a 999 call eventually revealed Isabella's death from eight broken ribs, two broken legs and brain damage.

The injuries, described as something akin to a car crash, had been caused by fierce gripping or twisting by Vallence, who was subject to violent outbursts of temper when he had not taken his medication.

Wiggins was described by the judge as "a remarkably good mother" but she should have realised that something was wrong when the baby was with Vallance. Her initial support of Vallance had delayed the case coming to trial.

At the time of the conviction, Detective Chief Inspector John Marsden, said: “The death of any young child is a tragedy and Isabella Vallance had lived for just 86 days.

“She should have had a full life ahead of her but that was taken away by her father, a callous individual who could not control his emotions or his temper.

“His guilty plea on the first day of the hearing is a testament to the weight and strength of the evidence against him gathered over 18 months by a dedicated team of investigators. We are also grateful to the significant contribution made by many partner agencies including the medical profession and Children’s Services.

“Those agencies, along with other family members, had set out to help Wiggins and Vallance give Isabella the best possible start in life.

“As parents they were in a position of trust and care but sadly they did not live up to their responsibilities.

“Our priority was to carry out a full and thorough investigation into this baby’s death, which we have done, and while the overriding feeling is one of sadness we are satisfied that at least justice has now been done for Isabella.”