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Ellie Butler murder ruling to be released | Ellie Butler murder ruling to be released |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A secret ruling about the case of a man convicted of murdering his six-year-old daughter, 11 months after she returned to his care, is to be published. | A secret ruling about the case of a man convicted of murdering his six-year-old daughter, 11 months after she returned to his care, is to be published. |
Ben Butler, 36, was given a minimum 23-year jail term for inflicting catastrophic head injuries upon Ellie in the family's Sutton home in 2013. | Ben Butler, 36, was given a minimum 23-year jail term for inflicting catastrophic head injuries upon Ellie in the family's Sutton home in 2013. |
The Court of Appeal ordered the 2014 judgement should be made public following a court challenge. | The Court of Appeal ordered the 2014 judgement should be made public following a court challenge. |
It was also revealed Butler has appealed against his conviction. | It was also revealed Butler has appealed against his conviction. |
The original ruling was made by Mrs Justice Eleanor King following a behind-closed-doors hearing at the High Court which took place after Ellie had died, but before the murder trial. | The original ruling was made by Mrs Justice Eleanor King following a behind-closed-doors hearing at the High Court which took place after Ellie had died, but before the murder trial. |
Mrs Justice King had been asked to make "findings of fact" about the case by Sutton children's services, who wanted help to decide the future of Ellie's younger sibling. | Mrs Justice King had been asked to make "findings of fact" about the case by Sutton children's services, who wanted help to decide the future of Ellie's younger sibling. |
The family court judge concluded that on the balance of probabilities, Butler had been "responsible for Ellie's death" and she had suffered a fractured skull. | The family court judge concluded that on the balance of probabilities, Butler had been "responsible for Ellie's death" and she had suffered a fractured skull. |
However, the full judgement was not revealed. | |
Last month, another family court judge, Mrs Justice Pauffley, rejected an application from media organisations to reveal the judgement, saying it could prejudice any re-trial if Butler mounted an appeal. | Last month, another family court judge, Mrs Justice Pauffley, rejected an application from media organisations to reveal the judgement, saying it could prejudice any re-trial if Butler mounted an appeal. |
But three Court of Appeal judges ruled the details could be released, although redactions would have to be made first. | But three Court of Appeal judges ruled the details could be released, although redactions would have to be made first. |
Editors from the Guardian, Daily Mail, Telegraph and Times newspapers and bosses from the BBC, ITN and Sky News had argued publication of the case was in the public interest. | Editors from the Guardian, Daily Mail, Telegraph and Times newspapers and bosses from the BBC, ITN and Sky News had argued publication of the case was in the public interest. |
It is thought the judgement will be released next week. | It is thought the judgement will be released next week. |
Butler was jailed in June for murder and child cruelty. | Butler was jailed in June for murder and child cruelty. |
According to legal documents, his solicitors lodged an appeal against his conviction and sentence on 13 July. | According to legal documents, his solicitors lodged an appeal against his conviction and sentence on 13 July. |
Ellie's mother, Jennie Gray, was jailed for 42 months after being found guilty of child cruelty and admitting perverting the course of justice. | Ellie's mother, Jennie Gray, was jailed for 42 months after being found guilty of child cruelty and admitting perverting the course of justice. |
Next week, a coroner will decide whether to resume the inquest into Ellie's death. | Next week, a coroner will decide whether to resume the inquest into Ellie's death. |
Her grandfather, Neal Gray, who she lived with for several years before being returned to her parents, has called for a public inquiry. | Her grandfather, Neal Gray, who she lived with for several years before being returned to her parents, has called for a public inquiry. |
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