Friday, October 17, 2025 - A mother who killed her five-year-old autistic son after battling severe mental health difficulties has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of nine years.
Claire Button, 36, smothered her son Lincoln Button at their
home in South Ockendon, Essex, in December 2024. After the killing, she
attempted to take her own life by overdosing on pills and cutting her wrists.
The court heard that Button had long struggled with her
mental health and had sought help in the months leading up to the tragedy.
When police arrived at the flat, they found a note written
by Button which read: “He does not fit in the world and where he doesn’t fit I
don’t either.”
Judge Samantha Leigh, sentencing at Basildon Crown Court,
described the case as “one of the hardest I’ve heard in almost 30 years.”
The judge said Button had been a “loving, caring mother” to
Lincoln but had become overwhelmed by the demands of caring for a child with
severe autism.
“Lincoln was, as a result of his autism, very challenging
indeed,” the judge said. “He was non-verbal and suffered from outbursts and
meltdowns. He would sometimes want to go out 10 to 15 times a day to ride his
scooter.”
On the day of the incident, Lincoln reportedly had a
meltdown at a supermarket, becoming fixated on the sliding doors. After
returning home, Button decided to end both their lives.
“She was desperate and couldn’t see a way out of what was
going on,” Judge Leigh said.
The court was told that Button had repeatedly tried to get
help. In August, she attended a hospital appointment where she was prescribed
medication and “sent away.” The judge described this response as “totally
inadequate,” adding that she was only given “two phone calls” for follow-up
support.
On the day of the killing, Button called an ambulance but
was told there was a ten-hour wait.
“The stress she was under at the time was exacerbated by the
non-availability of emergency services,” Judge Leigh said. “I think it’s
terribly telling that she has received more care since being remanded for her
mental health than she did on the outside.”
The killing was not premeditated, the court concluded.
Button’s husband, Nicky Button, discovered her and their son when he returned
home. He declined to have his victim impact statement read aloud, with the
court told he remains “broken.”
Button had pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder.
However, a jury found her guilty following the trial.
Lincoln, known affectionately as “Link”, was described by
his family as a “cherished, loved, sweet, beautiful young soul who was adored
by all and will be sorely missed every day.”
His school, Bonnygate Primary, paid tribute to him as “a
cheeky, smiley, happy boy” who brought joy to those around him.
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