UK Nursery Worker Jailed After Restraint Kills 14-Month-Old Toddler- iHarare News

Tragedy As 14-Month-Old Noah Sibanda Dies In UK Nursery Care

A UK nursery worker has been jailed after the death of 14-month-old Noah Sibanda, who died following a restraint incident while being put to sleep at a Dudley childcare centre.

The tragedy unfolded on 9 December 2022 at Fairytales Day Nursery in the West Midlands. A court heard that the toddler was pinned face down and left unchecked for hours, in what prosecutors described as dangerous and unsafe sleeping practices.

CCTV Footage Reveals Final Moments

At Wolverhampton Crown Court on 17 April 2026, Kimberley Cookson, 23, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison after admitting gross negligence manslaughter.

CCTV footage played during the hearing showed Noah being placed face down on a soft cushion inside a nursery sleeping area. The court was told that Cookson used her leg to restrain him for about seven minutes.

Judge Justice Choudhury described the footage in strong terms:

“The CCTV footage of the baby room was shocking. The risk of death in this case, in my judgement, was foreseeable.”

After restraining the toddler, Cookson believed he had fallen asleep and left him unattended. Staff did not physically check on him for approximately two hours.

He was discovered unresponsive at about 15:15 and later pronounced dead in hospital.

The judge added:

“It is only a matter of blind luck that one of the other nursery practitioners did not find themselves in the same position.”

Family’s Grief As Details Emerge In Court

The BBC reports that Noah’s mother, Masi Sibanda, described the devastating loss in a statement read to the court.

“He died alone, scared and in pain.”

She continued:

“I handed Noah over to the people who killed him. Because of this I cannot forgive myself.”

Noah’s father, Thulani Sibanda, also addressed the court, highlighting the loss suffered by the family:

“My son died at just 14 months old because of the gross negligence of someone who was trusted to care for him. Noah deserved to live.”

Prosecutors told the court that Noah had been tightly wrapped, placed face down, and positioned in a way that restricted his breathing.

John Elvidge, prosecuting, said:

“This posed risks of overheating and exhaustion. Kimberley Cookson’s negligence was gross. That means it was truly exceptionally bad.”

In mitigation, Cookson’s defence said there had been no intent to harm:

“Her motivation that day was to try and put Noah to sleep. She did not intend to cause him any harm.”

In a statement, Cookson added:

“What happened will haunt me for the rest of my life.”

Nursery Fined Millions As Unsafe Practices Exposed

Fairytales Day Nursery was fined £240,000 (approximately R5,640,000) after admitting corporate manslaughter and health and safety breaches. The facility has since closed.

Nursery owner Deborah Latewood, 55, was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting a health and safety offence.

The court heard that “sleeping pods” had been introduced despite not complying with NHS safety guidance. These could cause overheating and restrict a child’s breathing.

Detective Inspector Carla Thompson said the incident was not isolated:

“It wasn’t an isolated incident. Other children were being wrapped the same way, placed face down and having blankets put over their heads.”

A prosecutor described the case as:

“Every parent’s worst nightmare.”

Judge Choudhury concluded by addressing the family directly:

“No term of imprisonment or punishment could ever seem enough for what has happened.”