Leading scientist jailed for handing out years of horrific abuse to her three children

 

 

A leading scientist who assaulted and abused her three adopted children for almost a decade has been jailed for four years.

Dr Jill Newcombe-Buley punched, slapped and suffocated the youngsters and even stamped on one with a stiletto heel.

Newcombe-Buley - who has since been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder - also plunged them into ice-cold baths and smothered them with a pillow during years of 'systematic' abuse. One child was cut badly when they were hit over the head with a dustbin.

The court heard how Newcome-Buley had given up her work as a chemist and failed to cope with life as a mother and housewife.

Her husband, chemist Dr Nicholas Newcombe, admitted child neglect after he failed to report her to the authorities.

Newcombe-Buley, 45, from Prestbury, near Macclesfield, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to 15 charges of child cruelty at an earlier hearing and was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court.

She sobbed as she was jailed for four years by Judge Stephen Clarke, who agreed to a request to lift reporting restrictions enabling the couple to be named.

Newcombe, 43, of Hazel Grove, Stockport, admitted three charges of child neglect. He was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for a year.

His defence barrister Joanna Rodikis said he had been aware of 'a small fraction' of the abuse and did not witness it.

The children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are now safe with new carers.

The court heard the assaults and neglect happened at the former family home in Prestbury between 2001 and 2009.

Newcombe-Buley, a doctor of chemistry and high flyer in pharmaceutical research, became the 'main carer' while Newcombe worked for pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca.

The court heard the eldest child 'courageously' alerted the authorities. There is no suggestion the abuse was sexual.

Judge Clarke said: 'No children should be subjected to punching and slapping and believing they are to be suffocated.

'They were plunged into cold water, struggling to try to stay alive. This was extreme cruelty over an extended period of time.'

Detective Alison Broadbent wept as the court was told of the horrific abuse suffered by the three young children.

The officer worked closely with the youngsters for more than a year and helped bring their parents to justice.

Det Con Broadbent, of Cheshire Police's public protection team, was praised by the judge and will receive a public commendation.

The court heard how she helped the victims and attended strategy meetings so suitable new carers could be found. She also gathered evidence which led to both parents pleading guilty.

John Wyn Williams, prosecuting, told the court: 'Alison Broadbent has worked extremely hard on this case. She was extremely important. She knows now that the children are starting to develop and display some kind of happiness.'

Judge Stephen Clarke said he would sign an application for her public commendation.

Her boss, Supt Geraint Jones, said: 'Alison's work has been outstanding.