UK Mother Jailed for Life After Beating 3-Year-Old Son to Death with Bamboo Cane

Christina Robinson, aged 30, has been sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison for the horrific abuse and murder of her three-year-old son, Dwelaniyah.

The tragic events unfolded over several weeks at their family home in Bracken Court, Ushaw Moor, Durham, in November 2022.

Dwelaniyah had been the victim of a series of assaults (Picture: Durham Police/PA Wire)

During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, it was revealed that Robinson used a bamboo cane to repeatedly beat her son, causing him immense pain and suffering.

She then proceeded to shake him to death. Shockingly, Robinson defended her actions by claiming that the Bible justified the use of physical discipline, referring to the “use of the rod.”

Even as she was handed a life sentence, Robinson maintained her innocence and expressed her belief that justice would eventually be served. She adamantly denied any involvement in her child’s death, stating that she would stand by her claims forever.

The judge, Mr Justice Garnham, addressed Robinson in court, highlighting the unimaginable torment that Dwelaniyah must have endured at the hands of his mother. He emphasized the severity of the situation, particularly the fact that a young child had suffered such brutal abuse.

The cane used by Christina Robinson to discipline her son Dwelaniyah (Picture: Durham Police/PA Wire)

During the trial, it was revealed that Robinson had intentionally submerged her son in scalding water, causing severe burns. Shockingly, she failed to seek any medical assistance for his injuries. Investigators discovered a broken cane in her house, which had traces of Dwelaniyah’s skin and blood on it.

Robinson, who identified as a member of the Black Hebrew Israelite religion, admitted to using the bamboo cane on her son. She claimed that she was following a scripture from the Bible that advocated for the use of physical discipline as a means of correcting children.

The jury ultimately found Robinson guilty of murder and four charges of child cruelty. They determined that she had caused a fatal brain injury to her son on November 5, 2022, while she was the sole adult present in the house.

Disturbingly, it took Robinson over 20 minutes to call emergency services after the incident. Instead, she first contacted her husband, who was serving with the RAF 240 miles away, before searching on Google for instructions on how to renew a child.

When the emergency services arrived, Robinson appeared composed as she provided a false account of events to a police officer while medical professionals desperately tried to save Dwelaniyah’s life.

Despite the efforts made at the scene, he could not be saved and likely passed away at the house. Despite further resuscitation attempts at the hospital, he could not be revived.

A post-mortem examination revealed that he had suffered a series of assaults and had sustained multiple non-accidental injuries.

During the trial, Richard Wright KC, the prosecutor, stated that the little boy had been deliberately harmed over some time.

Christina Robinson, 30, had exposed her son Dwelaniyah to cruelty and excruciating pain over several weeks (Pictures: Durham Police/PA)

The individual responsible for these acts was identified as his mother, Christina Robinson, the defendant.

In his closing statement, Mr Wright informed the court that the boy had been subjected to a pattern of violence and cruelty by his mother for minor offences.

Although Robinson was convicted in March, Mr Justice Garnham postponed sentencing to give her time to find new legal representation after parting ways with her legal team towards the end of the trial.

Additionally, Robinson was found guilty of child neglect for leaving Dwelaniyah at home while engaging in an extramarital affair.