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Liam Fee: Mother and partner given life sentences Liam Fee: Mother and partner given life sentences
(35 minutes later)
A mother and her civil partner have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her two-year-old son.A mother and her civil partner have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her two-year-old son.
Rachel Fee, 31, must spend a minimum of 23 and a half years in jail and Nyomi Fee, 29, a minimum of 24 years for the murder and ill-treatment of Liam Fee. Rachel Fee, 31, must spend a minimum of 23-and-a-half years in jail and Nyomi Fee, 29, a minimum of 24 years for the murder and ill-treatment of Liam Fee.
The toddler, who was Rachel Fee's son, died at his home near Glenrothes, Fife in March 2014.The toddler, who was Rachel Fee's son, died at his home near Glenrothes, Fife in March 2014.
He had suffered a ruptured heart as a result of severe blunt force trauma to his body.He had suffered a ruptured heart as a result of severe blunt force trauma to his body.
The couple denied killing Liam, blaming his death on one of two other young boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons. The couple, originally from Ryton in Tyne and Wear, denied killing Liam, blaming his death on one of two other young boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
The couple, originally of Ryton, Tyne and Wear, were sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh by Judge Lord Burns. They were sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh by judge Lord Burns, who told the pair they had "grossly abused" their parental responsibilities.
Lord Burns told Rachel and Nyomi Fee that they "grossly abused" parental responsibilities and it was a "cruel regime of neglect and ill treatment". The judge added that the post-mortem examination showed that Liam had been "subjected to a prolonged course of violent behaviour".
He said the pair caused "appalling" mental and physical harm to Liam Fee, and have shown no remorse. And he said the couple had shown no remorse for the "cruel regime of neglect and ill treatment" that had inflicted appalling mental and physical harm on the two-year-old.
A jury of eight women and six men found them guilty by majority of assault and murder after a seven-week trial at the High Court in Livingston. Mark Stewart QC, defending Nyomi Fee, said she accepted responsibility for the "unforgivable" neglect of Liam, but maintained she was innocent of murdering him.
Brian McConnachie QC, defending Rachel Fee, said her position was similar to her partner's, and that she thought there had been a "miscarriage of justice".
The pair displayed little emotion as their sentences were delivered, and there was silence in the packed courtroom as they were led away to the cells.
Liam's father Joseph Johnson looked straight ahead as the women were told the punishment parts of their life sentences.
A jury of eight women and six men had previously found Rachel and Nyomi Fee guilty by majority of assault and murder after a seven-week trial at the High Court in Livingston.
The jurors were excused from duty for 10 years due to the horrific evidence they faced during the trial.The jurors were excused from duty for 10 years due to the horrific evidence they faced during the trial.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC told the court the women were guilty of "unyielding, heartless cruelty".Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC told the court the women were guilty of "unyielding, heartless cruelty".
In harrowing evidence, the jury heard Liam had suffered heart injuries similar to those found on road crash victims, with more than 30 external injuries on his body.In harrowing evidence, the jury heard Liam had suffered heart injuries similar to those found on road crash victims, with more than 30 external injuries on his body.
The court heard the pair knew Liam had a broken leg and fractured arm but instead of seeking help they searched the internet for terms including "how do you die of a broken hip?" and "can wives be in prison together?"The court heard the pair knew Liam had a broken leg and fractured arm but instead of seeking help they searched the internet for terms including "how do you die of a broken hip?" and "can wives be in prison together?"
The couple were also convicted of a catalogue of abuse towards the two other boys, including imprisoning one in a home-made cage and tying another naked to a chair in a dark room with snakes and rats.The couple were also convicted of a catalogue of abuse towards the two other boys, including imprisoning one in a home-made cage and tying another naked to a chair in a dark room with snakes and rats.
They were found guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by trying to blame Liam's death on one of the boys.They were found guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by trying to blame Liam's death on one of the boys.
Raised concerns
A significant case review is being carried out into the circumstances leading up to Liam's death after a number of witnesses told the trial they had raised concerns about the toddler's health and wellbeing with social services.A significant case review is being carried out into the circumstances leading up to Liam's death after a number of witnesses told the trial they had raised concerns about the toddler's health and wellbeing with social services.
Det Insp Rory Hamilton, of Police Scotland, said the sentences handed out to Rachel and Nyomi Fee reflected the seriousness of their crimes, and the commitment of the police and legal system to bring to justice those who commit acts of violence against the most vulnerable members of society.
He added: "I would again commend the two young boys whose evidence played such a vital part in securing the convictions and bringing their abusers, and the women who murdered Liam, to justice."