WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Nicola Priest was jailed for 15 years for killing three-year-old Kaylee-Jayde Priest, who she called a “little b****” and a “rat” before launching the vicious assault
A woman branded an “evil mother” danced for a TikTok video just days after her three-year-old daughter died as a result of injuries inflicted by the woman and her partner.
Nicola Priest, 27, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in August 2021 for the manslaughter of little Kaylee-Jayde Priest, whom she referred to as a “little b****” and a “rat”.
During the trial at Birmingham Crown Court, Gurdeep Garcha QC, representing Priest’s partner Callum Redfern, asked the mother about social media and she confirmed she had a TikTok account. Priest’s boyfriend Redfern, 26, was also sentenced to 14 years in prison after they were both found guilty of manslaughter.
READ MORE: St Ann’s murder suspect named as he appears in court after man stabbed to deathREAD MORE: Mum runs into burning house to save son, cats and bearded dragons
She admitted that days before her daughter’s death she published a video called “My Version” with a smiley face emoji while she was living in supported accommodation.
In the clip, she was dancing to the music and smiling, the court heard. Mr Garcha asked Priest: “This is 45 days after Kaylee died?”
The mother replied: “Yes. It does not mean I was not broken. Just because I did a few dance videos doesn’t mean I didn’t miss my little girl.”
Kaylee was discovered dead at the flat where she lived with her mum on August 9, 2020, just days after Priest sent a text threatening to kill the child.
Experts compared her injuries to those sustained by a child hit by a car travelling at 40mph, or falling three floors onto a concrete floor.
The child’s mother dialled 999, but a jury convicted Priest after hearing that the youngster had been “dead before the call was made”.
The young girl, described in court as a “lively and happy child”, died from severe chest and abdominal injuries inflicted at Priest’s flat in Solihull.
Medical examinations later revealed that Kaylee had also suffered historical injuries including broken ribs, lower leg fractures and a broken sternum.
Her mother, who had no previous convictions and was found by experts to have “a very low level of intelligence”, was also convicted of cruelty to a child, relating to the youngster’s previous injuries, though Redfern was acquitted of that charge.
Mr Justice Foxton QC sentenced the pair, stating: “Kaylee was put to bed some time around 7pm, while the two of you went to have sex in Nicola Priest’s bedroom.
“But like many children her age, Kaylee did not want to go to bed, but to stay up and play.”
The judge explained how Kaylee began severely vomiting, adding: “The vomiting was the result of the severe beating you were both responsible for inflicting on her.
“No doubt irritated by Kaylee crying, asking to be let out, it interrupted the two of you when you wanted to have sex.
“You lost your tempers and were parties to the assault which cost Kaylee her life.
“A prompt call for medical assistance by one or the other of you would have saved Kaylee’s life.”
The judge also told Redfern: “You and Nicola Priest shared an uncaring and cruel attitude to Kaylee.”
During his police interview, when asked how Kaylee’s death had affected him, Redfern responded: “It’s not my child… it’s not really affected me.”
Priest, donned in a yellow jumper, broke down in tears and held her wrist to her face as she was sent to prison.
Redfern, clad in a grey T-shirt and wearing a mask, remained emotionless.
The jury heard evidence of Priest striking Kaylee on the head and referring to her as a “f****** brat”.
In a text message exchange on 24 July 2020, just days before Kaylee’s death, Priest told Redfern: “I’m gonna kill her… because she keeps leaving the living room or going in the kitchen, so I’ve paled (hit) her one and smacked her for shi****g in her nappy.”
To which Redfern replied: “Good – give her one from me.”
Priest responded: “I will, babe.”
READ MORE: ‘My suitcase never gets lost at airports and fits so much but now it’s 30% off’
