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Daisy Mae Burrill murder: Fleetwood father gets life sentence | Daisy Mae Burrill murder: Fleetwood father gets life sentence |
(35 minutes later) | |
A father who violently threw his crying baby on to the sofa in a fit of temper has been jailed for life for her murder. | A father who violently threw his crying baby on to the sofa in a fit of temper has been jailed for life for her murder. |
Two-month-old Daisy Mae Burrill died three days after 31-year-old John Burrill fractured her skull in Fleetwood, Lancashire, on 11 March. | Two-month-old Daisy Mae Burrill died three days after 31-year-old John Burrill fractured her skull in Fleetwood, Lancashire, on 11 March. |
Her injuries were consistent with being gripped by the legs and swung against a hard surface, his trial heard. | Her injuries were consistent with being gripped by the legs and swung against a hard surface, his trial heard. |
Mr Justice James Goss ordered Burrill to serve a minimum of 18 years in jail. | Mr Justice James Goss ordered Burrill to serve a minimum of 18 years in jail. |
Sentencing, the judge at Preston Crown Court described Daisy Mae's murder as the "grossest breach of trust". | Sentencing, the judge at Preston Crown Court described Daisy Mae's murder as the "grossest breach of trust". |
Burrill had "carried out a vicious assault upon a defenceless baby" after smoking cannabis throughout the early hours of the morning while tending to his daughter who would not settle, the Crown Prosecution Service said. | |
Burrill was found guilty by jury on Tuesday. | Burrill was found guilty by jury on Tuesday. |
He had initially told medical staff and police the infant became limp but he could not explain why. | He had initially told medical staff and police the infant became limp but he could not explain why. |
The court heard the child's mother, Ashlee Cox, described her then-partner as "moody" when he got up to feed the baby at their home in Gordon Road on the morning of 11 March. | The court heard the child's mother, Ashlee Cox, described her then-partner as "moody" when he got up to feed the baby at their home in Gordon Road on the morning of 11 March. |
Burrill, who admitted manslaughter but denied murder, told the court the baby had initially gone back to sleep but began to cry again. | Burrill, who admitted manslaughter but denied murder, told the court the baby had initially gone back to sleep but began to cry again. |
He told jurors during his trial: "I think the tiredness just took over and I really lost my rag and I threw her down on to the couch." | He told jurors during his trial: "I think the tiredness just took over and I really lost my rag and I threw her down on to the couch." |
The baby was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and later transferred to Manchester Children's Hospital, where her life support was switched off on 14 March. | The baby was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and later transferred to Manchester Children's Hospital, where her life support was switched off on 14 March. |
Following sentencing, Ms Cox said: "She was a beautiful baby girl and much loved new addition to the family... who will be forever in their hearts." | Following sentencing, Ms Cox said: "She was a beautiful baby girl and much loved new addition to the family... who will be forever in their hearts." |
She said her family's suffering had been made worse by Burrill's refusal to admit that he alone was responsible for her death. | She said her family's suffering had been made worse by Burrill's refusal to admit that he alone was responsible for her death. |
Ms Cox added: "Although justice has been served it will never bring her back." | Ms Cox added: "Although justice has been served it will never bring her back." |