A MOTHER has been sentenced to five years for killing her three-month-old baby.

22-year-old Maria Kompusova, a Slovakian immigrant, is believed to have violently shaken her baby, Joseph Kompus, causing brain damage which led to his death.

Kompusova, who can now be named after reporting restrictions were lifted, appeared at the Old Bailey today where she was jailed for five years and banned from working with children for life.

After little Joseph Kompus was examined following his death in September 2007 it was discovered that he had previous injuries, including a fractured skull and rib.

However, little is known about the events leading up to his death because Kompusova has always maintained her innocence.

At the Old Bailey today, Christopher Kinch, defending, said: “She has always said that whatever happened she didn’t do it, but something must have happened.”

The court heard that Kompusova had come to the country, “looking for a good life for herself and her partner” and that she was never in trouble with the authorities.

Mr Kinch said that Kompusova had had to deal with the “ordeal” of Joseph being born prematurely and bonding with him while he was cared for in the special care baby unit in hospital for nearly three months.

He added: “The family division judge thought it was a period of stress caused by poor accommodation, isolation and lack of support from her partner.”

London Ambulance Service were called by the mother on September 29, 2007. The baby was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

A post mortem examination held at Great Ormond Street Hospital could not initially determine the cause of death, but later head injuries were discovered.

Kompusova and her husband were arrested by police, but charges against him were dropped before the trial.

Passing sentence today, Judge Hawkins QC told Kompusova: “It is not known from the evidence what you did. Whilst experts say they have only seen damage like this caused in traffic accidents or falling from a great height.

“When Joseph was found he had five earlier fractures to parts of his body. It is difficult to understand how you could not have been aware of this and that something was wrong with the child.

"However, I cannot be sure that you inflicted the earlier injuries.”

Investigating officer DCI Graham Grant, of the Child Abuse Investigation Command, said: "It is a matter of great distress when a child has suffered unnecessary cruelty at the hands of their carer.

"We do not know exactly what happened on the day of the child's death, as his mother has offered us no explanation as to how he sustained his injuries.

“The Child Abuse Investigation Command Major Investigation team conducted a thorough investigation into the child's death to ensure today's successful prosecution and bring the person responsible to justice. Our thoughts are with the child's family."

Esther Rantzen, trustee of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) said: “Every baby death is a terrible tragedy. It is what everybody in health care and child protection, working with babies and children, is there to avoid.

“Everytime it happens questions are asked about communications and systems but we also have to ask ourselves about skill and judgement.

"Joseph had so many serious injuries that seem not to have been noticed.”