But they aren't charged with fleeing the scene of a serious crime, or other things like perverting the course of justice. They are charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child, and the judge said the jury could find them not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.
I think he also said the second charge (causing or allowing the death of a child) was an alternative not an additional charge in this case?
It's not a minor offence, there could be a life sentence for that too.
Causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm/ Causing or allowing a child to die
Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, s.5
Guideline effective from: 01 April 2023
Causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm
Indictable only
Maximum: 14 years’ custody for offences committed after 28 June 2022; otherwise 10 years’ custody
Offence range: Community order – 12 years’ custody
Causing or allowing a child to die
Indictable only
Maximum: life imprisonment for offences committed after 28 June 2022; otherwise 14 years’ custody
Offence range: 1 year’s custody – 18 years’ custody
www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk