Tamara Thomas, 46, and Damion Thomas, 48, have been sentenced to three years and nine months and two years and nine months respectively after their 12-year-old son Joshua died from undiagnosed and untreated Type 1 diabetes. Joshua collapsed at their home in Kings Heath on December 9, 2022, and later died at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Parents' 'we know best' attitude condemned
Mrs Justice Cutts, sentencing at the Crown Court, stated that the couple's 'we know best' attitude towards others trying to help had tragic consequences. She said Joshua could have survived if they had called emergency services sooner. The judge noted that both parents were qualified teachers and of good character, but their failure to seek medical assistance was negligent.
'This case is in every sense a tragedy,' Justice Cutts said. 'You were both people of good character. Not only have you got no previous conditions, but you also led good and industrious lives. You were both qualified teachers.'
Missed opportunities to save Joshua
Joshua had been ill with cold-like symptoms from mid-December 2022. A week before his death, his parents noticed he was drinking more fluids, urinating more often, and had become weak. At 4am on December 9, he was unable to reach the bathroom alone. Damion helped him and considered taking him to hospital later, while Tamara noticed his weight loss.
Justice Cutts said: 'By the jury's verdict, both of you were negligent in failing to obtain urgent medical assistance at that time. Had he been treated at this time, death could have been prevented.'
Damion left for work at 7.30am. Joshua was helped downstairs by a sibling at 9am. Tamara told police she felt he needed hospital when her husband returned. She eventually called 999 at 12.43pm, but Joshua never regained consciousness and died the following morning.
Parents' background and family impact
Damion Thomas worked at Solihull Academy, while Tamara home-schooled their five youngest children. The couple had seven children in total. The court heard that their other dependent children have been removed and placed under local authority care, including a baby born after Joshua's death. Family court proceedings recommended the children be returned home in the summer under a robust care plan.
Damion was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2018, making the couple aware of the symptoms. Joshua died from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition requiring urgent treatment. Experts said such deaths are unusual because parents would typically seek help if a child is clearly unwell.
Defence and sentencing
Gillian Jones KC, representing Damion Thomas, said he was remorseful and had made 'substantial steps forward'. She added: 'He was a nurturing and loving father. He cared for Joshua greatly. It's without doubt he's devastated and without doubt he is going to live with the outcome of that judgement he made for the rest of his life.'
Tamara Thomas, representing herself after sacking her lawyers, told the court: 'There is no doubt I loved my son and thought I was acting in his best interests. The conduct was a one-off. Prior to this, I had shown a great deal of diligence, ensuring the children received appropriate healthcare and professional support.' She denied having a 'don't care' attitude and recalled giving Joshua CPR. She said she had already suffered 'public shame and outrage' and loss of her home, adding: 'This in itself is a powerful deterrent.'
