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| Man convicted of Brandon killing | Man convicted of Brandon killing |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A man has been found guilty of killing his girlfriend's 23-month-old son. | A man has been found guilty of killing his girlfriend's 23-month-old son. |
| Robert Cunningham, 23, had denied murdering Brandon Muir, who died in Dundee in March 2008 after suffering more than 40 injuries. | Robert Cunningham, 23, had denied murdering Brandon Muir, who died in Dundee in March 2008 after suffering more than 40 injuries. |
| He was convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide by a majority verdict at the High Court in Glasgow. He will be sentenced later this month. | He was convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide by a majority verdict at the High Court in Glasgow. He will be sentenced later this month. |
| It has been announced that a review of child protection services in Dundee will be carried out following the case. | It has been announced that a review of child protection services in Dundee will be carried out following the case. |
| Brandon's mother Heather Boyd, 23, was cleared last week of charges including her son's culpable homicide. | Brandon's mother Heather Boyd, 23, was cleared last week of charges including her son's culpable homicide. |
| Brandon died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee on 16 March 2008 after suffering what the jury was told would have been a painful death. | Brandon died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee on 16 March 2008 after suffering what the jury was told would have been a painful death. |
| When we carried out this inquiry we uncovered a lot of information Ch Insp Willie SempleTayside Police class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7908610.stm">Chaotic existence of tragic toddler class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7921262.stm">City to review child protection | |
| His injuries included broken ribs and a ruptured intestine. | His injuries included broken ribs and a ruptured intestine. |
| During the trial, medical experts said the injuries had been caused by a "massive blow" to his stomach area. | During the trial, medical experts said the injuries had been caused by a "massive blow" to his stomach area. |
| He had been left in the care of Cunningham the day before he died while his mother went to the supermarket. | He had been left in the care of Cunningham the day before he died while his mother went to the supermarket. |
| Ms Boyd, a heroin addict, said her son had been unwell when she returned. | Ms Boyd, a heroin addict, said her son had been unwell when she returned. |
| Pathologists who conducted a post-mortem examination on the toddler's body found cuts and bruises on his head, shoulder blades, abdomen, back, hands and abrasions on the inside of his eye. | Pathologists who conducted a post-mortem examination on the toddler's body found cuts and bruises on his head, shoulder blades, abdomen, back, hands and abrasions on the inside of his eye. |
| Police reports said the injuries dated from the last three weeks of Brandon's life, the period after Cunningham had moved into the family home in Balunie Crescent. | Police reports said the injuries dated from the last three weeks of Brandon's life, the period after Cunningham had moved into the family home in Balunie Crescent. |
| Brandon Muir died after his intestine ruptured | Brandon Muir died after his intestine ruptured |
| Cunningham was convicted of culpable homicide after jurors took just one hour and 25 minutes to return their majority verdict. | Cunningham was convicted of culpable homicide after jurors took just one hour and 25 minutes to return their majority verdict. |
| Judge John Morris deferred sentence until 31 March for background reports. | Judge John Morris deferred sentence until 31 March for background reports. |
| Charges that Cunningham repeatedly and wilfully ill-treated Brandon and another young boy were withdrawn by the Crown on Monday. | Charges that Cunningham repeatedly and wilfully ill-treated Brandon and another young boy were withdrawn by the Crown on Monday. |
| The man who led the police inquiry into Brandon's death said the toddler may have still been alive if people had reported their concerns about him. | |
| Tayside Police Ch Insp Willie Semple said people should have come forward irrespective of "how they feel about talking to the authorities". | Tayside Police Ch Insp Willie Semple said people should have come forward irrespective of "how they feel about talking to the authorities". |
| He said: "When we carried out this inquiry we uncovered a lot of information from people. | He said: "When we carried out this inquiry we uncovered a lot of information from people. |
| "If they had shared that with social workers, potentially we would not have had a trial. | "If they had shared that with social workers, potentially we would not have had a trial. |
| "It should not matter how insignificant they think it is or how they feel about talking to the authorities. | "It should not matter how insignificant they think it is or how they feel about talking to the authorities. |
| "I am not saying Brandon Muir would have been alive today, but he may have been." | "I am not saying Brandon Muir would have been alive today, but he may have been." |