This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/8175882.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Boy detained for toddler murder | Boy detained for toddler murder |
| (about 15 hours later) | |
| A 16-year-old boy who beat a toddler to death while babysitting her has been ordered to be detained for 15 years. | A 16-year-old boy who beat a toddler to death while babysitting her has been ordered to be detained for 15 years. |
| Karl McCluney punched Demi Leigh Mahon in the face, bit her and left her with at least 68 injuries in the sustained attack in Salford in July 2008. | |
| The two-year-old suffered brain damage and died two days later. | The two-year-old suffered brain damage and died two days later. |
| McCluney, who was left in charge of Demi Leigh for about an hour and a half, admitted manslaughter but was convicted of murder by a jury. | McCluney, who was left in charge of Demi Leigh for about an hour and a half, admitted manslaughter but was convicted of murder by a jury. |
| He attacked Demi Leigh on his 15th birthday. | He attacked Demi Leigh on his 15th birthday. |
| 'Stood no chance' | 'Stood no chance' |
| The teenager sat slouched in a chair as the sentence was handed to him by Mr Justice Sweeney, who described the murder as "savage". | The teenager sat slouched in a chair as the sentence was handed to him by Mr Justice Sweeney, who described the murder as "savage". |
| He said McCluney was "fed up" because no-one had planned anything for his birthday and became angry when Demi Leigh began crying. | He said McCluney was "fed up" because no-one had planned anything for his birthday and became angry when Demi Leigh began crying. |
| "You got angrier and angrier until you lost your temper altogether," the judge said. | "You got angrier and angrier until you lost your temper altogether," the judge said. |
| Demi Leigh Mahon was left brain-damaged in the attack | Demi Leigh Mahon was left brain-damaged in the attack |
| "You then, over a period according to you of about 10 minutes, hit her many times. | "You then, over a period according to you of about 10 minutes, hit her many times. |
| "You were large and powerful, she was only a small child and stood no chance against your onslaught. | "You were large and powerful, she was only a small child and stood no chance against your onslaught. |
| "It is clear that your severe conduct disorder means that you are a dangerous young man who presents a significant risk to public safety. | "It is clear that your severe conduct disorder means that you are a dangerous young man who presents a significant risk to public safety. |
| "You will not be released until such time as it is decided you no longer pose a danger. When that might be is, at present, impossible to tell," the judge added. | "You will not be released until such time as it is decided you no longer pose a danger. When that might be is, at present, impossible to tell," the judge added. |
| Demi Leigh was left with McCluney by her mother, Ann Marie McDonald, on 15 July 2008 while she went to cash her child benefit. | Demi Leigh was left with McCluney by her mother, Ann Marie McDonald, on 15 July 2008 while she went to cash her child benefit. |
| He deserved what he got - but it is a shame hanging was not an option Gary Mahon, father | He deserved what he got - but it is a shame hanging was not an option Gary Mahon, father |
| The teenager took Demi Leigh to the park before carrying out the attack at his home in Liverpool Road, Eccles. | The teenager took Demi Leigh to the park before carrying out the attack at his home in Liverpool Road, Eccles. |
| McCluney had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but the jury at Liverpool Crown Court rejected this claim and convicted him of her murder on 26 June. | McCluney had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but the jury at Liverpool Crown Court rejected this claim and convicted him of her murder on 26 June. |
| The court heard that he was diagnosed as suffering an unsocialised conduct disorder and had a "below normal" IQ. | The court heard that he was diagnosed as suffering an unsocialised conduct disorder and had a "below normal" IQ. |
| McCluney has never fully explained his attack on Demi Leigh but had alluded to the fact he was angry with her behaviour. | McCluney has never fully explained his attack on Demi Leigh but had alluded to the fact he was angry with her behaviour. |
| Social work failings | Social work failings |
| Det Supt Geoff Wessell, who led the investigation, said: "Despite his young age McCluney is an extremely dangerous young man. | Det Supt Geoff Wessell, who led the investigation, said: "Despite his young age McCluney is an extremely dangerous young man. |
| "While I am pleased he will be off the streets for a very long time, there is no sentence that can bring Demi back to her family." | "While I am pleased he will be off the streets for a very long time, there is no sentence that can bring Demi back to her family." |
| Salford Children's Services admitted failings in the protection of Demi Leigh after a review found telephone calls from relatives concerned about her welfare were not followed up properly. | Salford Children's Services admitted failings in the protection of Demi Leigh after a review found telephone calls from relatives concerned about her welfare were not followed up properly. |
| Concerns about Ms McDonald's drug problems were not dealt with adequately and there were a number of "missed opportunities" for intervention, the review found. | Concerns about Ms McDonald's drug problems were not dealt with adequately and there were a number of "missed opportunities" for intervention, the review found. |
| Speaking after the sentencing, Demi Leigh's father Gary, 41, said he was happy with the sentence. | Speaking after the sentencing, Demi Leigh's father Gary, 41, said he was happy with the sentence. |
| "He deserved what he got - but it is a shame hanging was not an option. | "He deserved what he got - but it is a shame hanging was not an option. |
| "We had justice for Demi Leigh today and now she can rest in peace." | "We had justice for Demi Leigh today and now she can rest in peace." |