Childminder gets three years for manslaughter

A COUPLE said last night they would never forgive the childminder who shook their baby daughter to death in a fit of frustration.

Ruth and Mark Sheppard, mother and father of 11-month-old Maeve, spoke out as Keran Henderson, aged 42, was beginning a three-year jail sentence for their daughter’s manslaughter. Henderson — who had appeared “trustworthy” to the Sheppards — was in sole charge of Maeve when she “snapped” and killed her.

A jury at Reading Crown Court convicted the mother of two of manslaughter by a majority of 10 to two after deliberating for more than 12 hours at the end of a five-week trial.