Stephen Boden, 29, and Shannon Marsden, 22, have denied child cruelty charges and the murder of their son Finley Boden at their home in Old Whittington, Chesterfield. Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, told jurors at Derby crown court they will hear evidence that Finley was beaten, bruised and burned by the pair in the weeks before Christmas. After Finley’s death, Boden was heard saying he planned to sell the baby’s stroller on eBay, which he later said was an attempt to lighten the mood. In a police car hours after Finley’s death, officers were stunned to hear the pair talking about what they were going to eat that day, the jury heard. Finley was born in February 2020 and did not go into his parents’ care due to social worker concerns. These included heavy cannabis use, an unhealthy home and evidence of domestic violence. “For the first nine months of his life, Finley was fit and well, safe and happy,” Prior said. In November 2020, a family court ruled that Finley must live with his parents. “Within just 39 days of moving in with the defendants, Finley was dead,” Prior said. “The severity of the injuries indicated that the violence used would have required significant force. “His parents, we say, colluded to hide the injuries from the social worker, the health visitor and the police for their own selfish reasons.” Preen said the jury will hear and see evidence of multiple injuries to the baby. They included 71 bruises or abrasions, including circular bruises on his head consistent with being grabbed with excessive force. Finley had 57 broken bones, including his thigh, tibia, shoulder, ribs and pelvis. Jurors were shown images of two burns on Finley, one of which “probably came from a lighter flame,” Prior said. There were also pictures of Finley’s blood stains on his clothes, his blanket, his pillow and his towel. No medical attention was sought for any of the injuries, Prior said. “If Mr Boden did not cause the injuries, then it is clear that Miss Marsden did. If Miss Marsden did not cause the injuries, then it is clear that Mr Boden did. We say they both did it, that they are both responsible, acting together.” Finley developed infections as a result of the fractures, including sepsis, and died in the early hours of Christmas Day. Prine said the killing was “brutal and savage” and she was confident the jury, after hearing the evidence, would find the pair committed the offense together. “Working together. Always together against anyone in power who could help. They were together then and they are together now.” Boden, of Chesterfield, and Marsden, of no fixed address, deny murder, two counts of child cruelty and two counts of causing or permitting the death of a child. The trial continues and is expected to last six weeks.
