A father from Ramsgate has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 16 years before parole eligibility, following his conviction for the murder of his infant daughter, Everleigh Stroud. The tragic events that unfolded have left the family shattered, as five-week-old Everleigh was left with irreversible injuries after being subjected to violent shaking.
Thomas Holford, now 25, was found guilty at Canterbury Crown Court after a unanimous decision from the jury. The court heard that Holford had consumed a significant amount of cannabis—at least five joints—on the day prior to the attack. He was left alone with his daughter on the night of 20 April 2021, and when help arrived the next morning, Everleigh was barely alive. Medical experts who attended the scene and later examined her confirmed she had suffered severe brain trauma and multiple bone fractures. Tragically, despite intensive medical intervention, the injuries proved insurmountable, and Everleigh died 13 months later, aged just 14 months.
Throughout the trial, Holford’s lack of emotion was noted. While his daughter fought for her life in hospital, Holford appeared detached, reportedly focusing on his mobile phone and showing no visible response to the unfolding emergency. During interrogation, Holford initially misled police regarding the extent of his cannabis use, only later admitting to celebrating “420”, a date significant within cannabis culture.
Presiding over the case, Mr Justice Michael Fordham addressed the unthinkable loss suffered by Everleigh’s family. The judge described how Holford’s actions had robbed both Everleigh and her mother, Casey Stroud, of a future together, stating that the consequences of the crime had stolen any chance of ‘deep happiness’ from the family. The judge went on to remark that the deliberate nature of the shaking showed intent to cause severe harm.
Evidence presented to the court further revealed the full extent of the baby’s suffering. Apart from the catastrophic brain injuries, Everleigh also had bruising to her face, bone breaks, and significant eye trauma that ultimately resulted in blindness before she died. Witness statements from Everleigh’s grandmother, Kelly Stroud, were read to the court. She spoke movingly of how her world ‘came crashing down in the most heartbreaking and traumatic way’, describing the moment their lives changed forever.
The prosecution, led by Eloise Marshall KC, argued that the violence was neither accidental nor the result of a temporary lapse. The conviction for actual bodily harm relating to injuries inflicted on the same night undermined suggestions that the killing was a single impulsive act, she said. Instead, the evidence pointed to a pattern of harm, albeit condensed into a short and devastating timeframe.
During cross-examination, Holford revealed he had manipulated his then teenage partner’s family into facilitating his access to cannabis, and admitted finding the responsibility of caring for his daughter stressful. Text messages disclosed during proceedings indicated he anticipated the stress of child care and sought to procure cannabis for the evening as a coping mechanism.
After deliberation, the court handed Holford a concurrent two-year sentence for the separate charge of actual bodily harm to his daughter, to be served alongside his life sentence. He must remain in custody for at least 16 years minus the 351 days he has already served before being eligible to apply for release.
This case has reignited debate about the dangers of drug misuse in parenting and the lasting consequences of a moment’s violence. The family of Everleigh Stroud now face a future defined by grief and loss, while her father will spend many years in prison for an irreversible act of brutality. The sentencing brings a measure of legal closure but leaves lingering questions about how such tragedies can be prevented in future.