A mother and her boyfriend have been sentenced to a total of 27 years following the death her young son Kol Page after a Met Police investigation uncovered a raft of evidence to prove they brutally assaulted him.
Detectives saw through the lies told by Zoe Coutts and Scott O’Connor as they blamed the toddler’s horrific injuries on his ‘clumsiness’, before turning on each other in a final effort to avoid justice.
Two-year-old Kol was found by the London Ambulance Service on Monday, 25 April 2022 not breathing, with bruises over his face and a serious injury to his abdomen, caused by a stamp or punch.
He bravely lived on for two more years, before dying aged just four years and three months on Saturday, 29 June, 2024.
Met homicide detectives analysed thousands of messages between Kol’s family, CCTV of his killers’ movements and carried out extensive interviews to prove that the his injuries came about while he was in the care of Coutts and O’Connor.
The couple were convicted on Wednesday, 25 March at Southwark Crown Court following a four-week trial. They were sentenced on Friday, 8 May.
- Coutts, 35 (11.05.1990), of Crayford, was convicted of allowing the death of a child. She was sentenced to nine years and 109 days in jail.
- O’Connor, 36 (02.02.1990),of Whinchat Road, Thamesmead, was convicted of manslaughter. He was sentenced to an 18-year custodial sentence with a five-year extended sentence.
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, whose homicide team led the investigation, said: “Kol was an innocent little boy who suffered horrific abuse in the place where he should have been safest – at home with his mother.
“Coutts and her boyfriend, O’Connor, tried to deceive paramedics, doctors and police officers, repeating lie after lie about how Kol came to be so seriously injured.
“It was the tireless work of detectives that exposed the couple’s lies, combing through months of messages, appalling pictures and CCTV evidence to uncover the sustained abuse suffered by that little boy.
“I want to thank the first responders who tried to help Kol in a case that has been particularly harrowing for all involved, especially the doctors and nurses who cared for him over such as sustained period of time and his foster carers who gave him immense compassion and safety.
“Kol was boisterous, cheeky and endlessly loving to everyone who knew him. He should have had a bright future, but was instead let down by those who should have protected him most. He will always be remembered.”
In a victim impact statement, Kol’s foster parents described how he was so badly injured they initially moved into the hospital to look after him. They said that he loved seeing the emotional support dog and bought him guinea pigs after seeing how he responded to them sitting in his lap.
His foster parents told the court: “I immediately fell in love with him. I knew he needed someone to be there for him, to protect him. He was in so much pain. He would cry out in pain so much. You could hear him from the lifts as you walked into the hospital. I knew it was him as he had such a distinctive cry.
“It was so hard to comfort him, I wanted to cuddle him but it would cause him too much pain. But it was nice as the staff would say thank goodness you are here, as when he could hear my voice it would placate him. This meant that I knew he loved me in the same way I loved him.
“I see him as my child; I may not have given birth to him, but I see him as my son. I am blessed to have been able to have looked after Kol for the time I did.”
An NSPCC spokesperson said: “This is a heartbreaking case. During his short life, and while in the care of someone who should have been keeping him safe, Kol was subjected to sustained violence that caused catastrophic injuries and ultimately led to his death. Our thoughts are with all those who cared for and loved this little boy.
“When a child dies in such circumstances, it leaves many people asking how such a tragedy could happen. Ultimately, O’Connor is responsible for Kol’s death and his mother, Coutts, for allowing it to happen. Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to abuse because they are completely reliant on the adults around them for care and protection. Also, there may be no regular involvement with professionals if parents or carers choose to care for their children at home and keep others away.
“We all have a part to play in keeping children safe, and sometimes that means asking difficult questions and thinking the unthinkable. We all need to challenge things that don’t seem right and share our worries with those who can intervene.
“Anyone who has concerns about a child’s welfare or safety can contact the NSPCC’s free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. People should call the police on 999 if a child is in immediate danger.”
The Investigation
In the early hours of Sunday, 24 April 2022, the day before Kol died, Coutts and O’Connor returned home after spending the night out drinking.
Police were called by London Ambulance Service at 09:44hrs on Monday, 25 April, to Downham Way, Bromley, to reports of a child who was not breathing.
When paramedics arrived, they found Kol without a pulse and with significant bruising to his head and face.
Kol was left with catastrophic brain damage, meaning he needed round-the-clock care. He spent 14 months in hospital before moving to live with his devoted new foster family.
Two years later, on Saturday, 29 June, 2024, he tragically died from his injuries.
