Jailed: Couple who claimed murdered baby was 'injured by ghosts'
A couple who claimed the death of a baby boy was caused by ghosts haunting their flat in Birmingham have been jailed today.
Czech national Marek Holub, 27, pleaded guilty to the murder of 14-month-old Santino Balaz, child neglect and child cruelty
His partner Tereza Lackova, 20, who lived with Holub at an address in Brighton Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, admitted allowing the death of a child and neglect.
Today, Holub was jailed for life to serve a minimum sentence of 20 years after pleading guilty to murder, child neglect and child cruelty. Lackova was jailed for five years after admitting allowing the death of a child and child neglect at Leicester Crown Court.
Santino - Lackova's half-brother - died on New Year's Day this year after suffering a catalogue of extensive injuries.
Born in Bilina in the Czech Republic and brought over to England by his mother in June 2014, Santino was left in Lackova's care when his mother returned to her home country in September 2014.
The defendants were arrested after hospital staff noticed he had a number of visible injuries, including bruises to his face, chest, legs and arms.
A post-mortem examination showed he had suffered numerous injuries and trauma for weeks before he died.
Detective Inspector Justin Spanner said: "Santino was supposed to be in a safe environment and in the care of his own family ? his sister and her boyfriend.
"The evidence tells us that Santino was assaulted on at least three occasions between November and New Year's Day; these assaults ultimately led to his death.
"The couple claimed that either the spirit of Lackova's grandmother who had died a short time ago or the death of the woman who occupied their flat before them had come back to injure Santino.
"We know from our enquiries that the pair had shared photos of Santino's injuries on their Facebook accounts and claimed the ghosts had caused them; unfortunately no-one ever came forward to report concerns around these images.
"I would like this case to serve as a reminder to people that if they have concerns over a child's welfare please report it to police so we can put the necessary checks in place to make sure they are safe.
"The death of one so young is always tragic but the agony that this young boy must have endured over his short life is truly dreadful, we can only take comfort in the fact that Tereza Lackova and Marek Holub are behind bars for a significant period."
