A “volatile” father has been found guilty of murdering his six-year-old daughter after subjecting her to a violent assault as a baby that left her profoundly disabled and in constant pain.
Kyle Kitchen, 38, vigorously shook Primrose Kane and either struck her with a hard object or threw her against a solid surface when she was just eight weeks old, the Old Bailey heard.
As a result of the attack in November 2014, Primrose suffered catastrophic brain injuries and a fractured skull. She was left with severe disabilities and long-term health complications, requiring constant care. She died on 17 May 2021, after spending most of her life in the care of her maternal grandmother.
Jurors were told Kitchen was charged with her murder while already serving a prison sentence for the initial assault. He had previously been convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent following a trial in 2016.
On Wednesday, after deliberating for six hours and 24 minutes, the jury found Kitchen guilty of murder. He stood in the dock and bowed his head as the verdict was delivered.
Mr Justice Murray remanded Kitchen into custody, with sentencing scheduled for 2 April.
A history of domestic violence
Prosecutor Jennifer Knight KC told the court that Kitchen and Primrose’s mother, Kenzey Kane, 31, had been in a “frequently volatile” relationship while living in a small bedsit in Camden, north London.
Jurors heard that on 29 September 2014, Kitchen was arrested and cautioned for assaulting Kane while she was holding their three-week-old daughter. He had repeatedly slapped her face in a row over the baby crying.
Just weeks later, on 3 November, Kane called NHS 111 at around 6am, reporting that Primrose had gone “floppy” and was unresponsive after making strange movements and sounds in the night.
During the call, Kitchen could be heard saying that Primrose had blood around her nose and was struggling to breathe. Paramedics arrived within minutes and found the baby unresponsive.
She was rushed to the Royal Free Hospital, where scans revealed a skull fracture and serious brain trauma.
Despite her parents providing no explanation for her injuries, Primrose was later transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where doctors confirmed the extent of her damage. The court heard that it became clear she would suffer from “significant neuro-disability” for the rest of her life.
After spending six weeks in hospital, Primrose was discharged and placed into the care of her maternal grandmother, Maria Kane.
Kitchen and Kenzey Kane were arrested the day after the attack but denied any knowledge of how Primrose had sustained such devastating injuries.
Following a 2016 trial at Blackfriars Crown Court, Kitchen was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Kane was found guilty of causing or allowing serious injury to a child and sentenced to three and a half years in custody.
Primrose’s life after the attack
Primrose’s injuries left her severely disabled, suffering from cerebral palsy, feeding difficulties, and an inability to communicate verbally. She also developed drug-resistant epilepsy, which made her condition even more complex.
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Her quality of life was described as “very low,” and in 2016, doctors implemented a do-not-resuscitate order due to the severity of her condition.
Despite her challenges, Primrose attended a specialist school in Plumstead, south-east London, from the age of nearly three until her death. Jurors heard that her headteacher described her as “characterful” and resilient.
On the night of 16 May 2021, Primrose slept in a double bed with her grandmother as usual. However, Maria Kane woke at around 5am to find that her granddaughter’s normal noisy, laboured breathing had stopped.
Paramedics were called, but Primrose was pronounced dead at 5:23am. A post-mortem later confirmed that her death was a direct consequence of the traumatic head injury inflicted when she was a baby.
Justice finally served
Before his trial, police attempted to interview Kitchen at Frankland Prison in County Durham, where he was serving his previous sentence. However, he declined to speak to officers.
Despite his continued denial of wrongdoing, the jury found him guilty of murder. He now faces a life sentence for taking the life of his own daughter.
Kitchen will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on 2 April.
