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Boy's killer jailed for 10 years Boy's killer jailed for 10 years
(31 minutes later)
A man who killed his girlfriend's 23-month-old son in Dundee has been jailed for 10 years.A man who killed his girlfriend's 23-month-old son in Dundee has been jailed for 10 years.
Robert Cunningham, 23, was found guilty of the culpable homicide of toddler Brandon Muir after a High Court trial.Robert Cunningham, 23, was found guilty of the culpable homicide of toddler Brandon Muir after a High Court trial.
Brandon was pronounced dead at Ninewells Hospital on 16 March 2008 after being hit so hard that his intestine ruptured.Brandon was pronounced dead at Ninewells Hospital on 16 March 2008 after being hit so hard that his intestine ruptured.
Examinations of his body uncovered at least 40 injuries, including cracked ribs and cuts.Examinations of his body uncovered at least 40 injuries, including cracked ribs and cuts.
Police reports said the injuries happened in the last three weeks of Brandon's life - while Cunningham was living in Brandon's home in Balunie Crescent. Police reports said the injuries happened in the last three weeks of Brandon's life - while Cunningham was living with Brandon and the toddler's mother, Heather Boyde, in Balunie Crescent.
Cunningham was originally charged with the boy's murder but was convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow. Cunningham, a drug addict, was originally charged with the boy's murder but was convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow.
Brandon's mother Heather Boyd, 23, had been charged with the culpable homicide of her son by failing to get him medical help after he was attacked by Cunningham. Ms Boyd, 23, had been charged with the culpable homicide of her son by failing to get him medical help after he was attacked by Cunningham.
Ms Boyd was cleared of the charges against her. She was cleared of the charges against her.
She had blamed Brandon's sickness on a 24-hour bug and went out to work as a prostitute to earn money for heroin while her son was dying.
Brandon Muir had suffered at least 40 injuries
Sentencing Cunningham, Judge John Morris QC said: "The jury held that you did not murder Brandon Muir, but convicted you of killing that unfortunate child.
"This was an act of unwanted violence aggravated by you not getting medical assistance. This must be marked by a substantial prison term."
Judge Morris also referred the case to Scottish Ministers under the Protection of Young Child Act.
Responding to the sentence outside the court, Brandon's grandmother Veronica Boyd said: "It's not enough. He has stolen and taken our grandson from us.
"He has caused total devastation to both sides of Brandon Muir's family."
An independent review of child protection services in Dundee is under way, led by former Fife Constabulary Chief Constable Peter Wilson
He said: "I believe that significant progress is being made in speaking to those involved in the case, and gathering information about what happened.
"Thus far the work has included speaking to family members, the staff involved, and the management of the various services.
"More interviews are scheduled, and others still to be organised."
The Scottish Government has also asked Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) to bring forward the publication of a separate inspection report into child protection services in the city.