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Mum's 'Sick' Son Claim After Brutal Abuse
25 Mar
Summary
- Mother claimed her son was only 'a little bit sick' after abuse.
- Couple exchanged texts joking about the toddler's injuries.
- Toddler died aged four from catastrophic brain damage.
A mother's deceptive claim that her two-year-old son was "a little bit sick" masked horrific abuse inflicted by her boyfriend. Police body cam footage captured Zoe Coutts sobbing and claiming she planned to take Kol Page to a doctor, while knowing her partner Scott O'Connor had been severely abusing him for months. This abuse included hair-pulling and leaving him with black eyes.
Coutts deliberately cancelled social worker visits during periods when Kol exhibited significant bruising. Disturbingly, the couple exchanged messages and joked about Kol's injuries, with O'Connor texting "It's the whining that drives me insane haha." These exchanges continued even as Kol's condition worsened.
In April 2022, Kol was rushed to the hospital with severe internal injuries consistent with punching or kicking. Even when Kol stopped breathing, Coutts prioritized calling a friend over emergency services, leading to suspected brain damage due to lack of oxygen.
O'Connor, interviewed by police, falsely blamed Kol's injuries on clumsiness and constant activity. He fabricated stories about falls and denied knowledge of the true cause of Kol's bruises. Kol suffered catastrophic brain damage and disabilities, requiring constant care and spending 14 months in hospital before moving to foster care.
Kol tragically died on June 29, 2024, aged four, from his injuries. O'Connor and Coutts, who met on Bumble, were accused of inflicting "catastrophic" injuries and fabricating lies. They were cleared of murder at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday but convicted of manslaughter and causing or allowing a child's death, respectively.
Sentencing for O'Connor and Coutts is scheduled for May at Southwark Crown Court. Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn highlighted the couple's lies and the tireless efforts of detectives who uncovered months of messages and appalling evidence of sustained abuse. She praised first responders and Kol's foster carers, remembering Kol as a loving child let down by those who should have protected him.
