A father is currently facing trial for the murder of his six-year-old daughter, who is believed to have succumbed to injuries he allegedly caused during her infancy.
Kyle Kitchen, aged 38, reportedly shook Primrose Kane forcefully and may have struck her with a hard object or hurled her against a solid surface when she was just eight weeks old, according to statements presented at the Old Bailey.
The jury was informed that Primrose sustained severe brain injuries and a fractured skull due to the assault in November 2014, which left her with profound disabilities and enduring pain. She passed away in May 2021.
Kitchen, a resident of Camden in north London, has pleaded not guilty to murder.
On Tuesday, jurors learned that Kitchen was indicted for Primrose’s murder while already serving time for having assaulted her.
Primrose had been living with Kitchen and her mother, Kenzey Kane, 31, in a shared living arrangement in Camden.
The relationship between the parents was described as “often volatile,” leading to Kitchen’s previous arrests and warnings for assaulting his partner, the court revealed.
Jurors were told that Ms. Kane was holding her three-week-old baby when Kitchen repeatedly struck her face during an argument about the infant’s crying.
At the time of Primrose’s severe assault in November 2014, the couple was alone, the court was informed.
Ms. Kane later dialed 111, claiming that Primrose had become “floppy” and was unresponsive after exhibiting unusual movements and noises during the night.
During the emergency call, Kitchen was allegedly overheard stating that Primrose had blood around her nose and wasn’t breathing.
Paramedics arrived quickly and discovered that the baby was unresponsive, the jurors learned.
Primrose was transported to the Royal Free Hospital in north London, where diagnostic imaging revealed a skull fracture and significant brain injury.
She remained hospitalized for six weeks and, once discharged, was placed into the care of her maternal grandmother, Maria Kane.
Following her injury, Primrose developed numerous health issues, including cerebral palsy, difficulties with feeding, an inability to communicate verbally, and drug-resistant epilepsy.
Kitchen later received convictions for two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, relating to the skull fracture and the shaking injuries inflicted on Primrose.
Ms. Kane was found guilty of causing or allowing serious injury to a child for failing to safeguard her daughter.
Primrose ultimately passed away from her injuries in 2021, as determined by a post-mortem examination.
The trial at the Old Bailey is ongoing.
