A 23-YEAR-OLD Kent labourer has been sentenced to life for the murder of a 13-month-old baby girl. Jade Hart had more than 100 injuries on her body when she died on July 31 last year.

Her killer, Ross Hammond, told a Crown Court judge he had no idea how the baby sustained bruises, broken bones, burns and internal bleeding. He had denied murdering the toddler, daughter of his ex-girlfriend Sarah Hart.

Hart, 19, of Royal Road, Ramsgate, has admitted cruelty and will be sentenced at a later date. She was not charged over Jade’s death.

After the case at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court, investigating officer Chief Supt Brian Roberts said: The team that worked with me to bring these two people to justice find it difficult to begin to describe our feelings towards Hammond in particular, who is convicted of the appalling murder of this innocent beautiful little girl.”

He added: “The theme of the defence in this case rested entirely upon the issue of which of the two carers murdered Jade Hart.

“The law surrounding this type of case is complex and is difficult to navigate. As the Senior Investigating Officer in charge of this investigation I recognised these difficulties and worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service.

“From the outset CPS lawyers provided advice aimed at overcoming these complexities which has led to the outcome we have heard."

“There are, as you know, proposals to change the law in relation to these offences. The victim, Jade Hart, lived a short life which ended in what can only be described as the most horrific death at the hands of Hammond.

“Throughout this trial the court heard the graphic detail of the injuries inflicted against the victim in this case. I do not intend to repeat the description of these injuries."