Silipa Keresi of Hythe was convicted of murder by a jury after it was heard she had wrapped baby Malakai in a towel and left him by a tree off Shore Road, Hythe.

Malakai was found on the afternoon of 5 March 2020 by a member of the public. Keresi was arrested two days later following police investigations.

She denied murder and an alternate charge of infanticide. Keresi was found guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court.

The judge, Mr Justice Garnham QC, sentenced her to life in prison, with a minimum term of nine years before she can be considered for parole.

In sentencing, he said: “The abandonment of Malakai was an act of desperation by a vulnerable woman, facing challenging circumstances. The emotional affect of your giving birth outdoors and unaccompanied was profound.”

Speaking after the sentencing, senior investigating officer, acting DCI Adam Edwards said: “The death of baby Malakai Keresi is truly heartbreaking and no sentence will ever be able to bring him back or give him the life he deserved.

“I want to take this chance to speak to any new or expecting mothers who find themselves in a situation or circumstance which may lead them considering such extreme actions as those we have seen in this case; please know, there is always help out there for you.

“There are many organisations, charities and professionals who can provide you with support and advice.”

He said the sentence was the result of a culmination of many hours of hard work by the police investigation team, and the work of experts who provided important evidence.