Teenage babysitter murdered toddler
A teenage babysitter who battered a toddler to death at a house in Salford on his 15th birthday has been found guilty of murder.
Karl Roger McCluney inflicted 68 injuries on two-year-old Demi Leigh Mahon after she was left in his care while her mother went to the shops, the jury at Manchester Crown Court heard.
The attack on Demi Leigh was so ferocious - she was punched repeatedly in the face - that she was left brain-damaged.
Pathologist Dr Naomi Carter said part of her scalp was also sheared off, most likely as a result of it coming into contact with a hard surface and that she had what were believed to be bite marks on her right arm and back.
Dr Carter told the jury it was neither "reasonable or credible" that the vast majority of the injuries were sustained accidentally.
Demi Leigh was left with the boy by her mother, Ann Marie McDonald, who had left the house for about 90 minutes to collect a benefit cheque.
McCluney sat listlessly, looking down at his shoes as the jury returned a guilty verdict after deliberating for less than three hours.
Mr Justice Sweeney warned him that he would serve a minimum of 12 years before adjourning the case for pre-sentence reports. McCluney was remanded into secure accommodation until sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on July 31.
A statement read out on behalf of Ms McDonald said: "Demi was my only daughter and my princess and I love her more than anything in the world...I always tried to do my best and I'd do anything I could for her but sometimes I feel I didn't get the help and support I needed."
Speaking of his daughter's killer, she said: "I can't even bring myself to say his (Karl McCluney's) name, I hate him so much...he's a monster who has taken my little princess away from me."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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