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Man jailed for killing boy aged 2 | Man jailed for killing boy aged 2 |
(8 minutes later) | |
A man who killed his girlfriend's two-year-old son after weeks of systematic violence has been jailed for six years. | A man who killed his girlfriend's two-year-old son after weeks of systematic violence has been jailed for six years. |
Joshua Jones was found dead at the home of his mother Nichola Bowman, 24, and Wayne Daveport, 26, in Tilbury Place, Runcorn, in November 2007. | Joshua Jones was found dead at the home of his mother Nichola Bowman, 24, and Wayne Daveport, 26, in Tilbury Place, Runcorn, in November 2007. |
Bowman, who was found guilty of allowing her child to be harmed, was given a six-month suspended sentence during the hearing on Friday. | Bowman, who was found guilty of allowing her child to be harmed, was given a six-month suspended sentence during the hearing on Friday. |
Davenport was convicted of manslaughter at Chester Crown Court in July. | Davenport was convicted of manslaughter at Chester Crown Court in July. |
Bowman had left her son in the care of Davenport, who had a history of drug abuse and violence, while she went to a pub. | Bowman had left her son in the care of Davenport, who had a history of drug abuse and violence, while she went to a pub. |
Teeth marks | Teeth marks |
Prosecutors said Davenport had "lost his patience" and killed the two-year-old after subjecting him to weeks of physical abuse. | Prosecutors said Davenport had "lost his patience" and killed the two-year-old after subjecting him to weeks of physical abuse. |
On the night that he died, Davenport called an ambulance saying Joshua was limp and lifeless. The child was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived. | On the night that he died, Davenport called an ambulance saying Joshua was limp and lifeless. The child was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived. |
Post-mortem tests found Joshua had suffered bruises to his thighs, knees and arm. | Post-mortem tests found Joshua had suffered bruises to his thighs, knees and arm. |
Bowman told social services she would not leave her son with Davenport | Bowman told social services she would not leave her son with Davenport |
He had scratches to his ankle, three marks on his back, and had suffered a broken arm and two rib fractures. | He had scratches to his ankle, three marks on his back, and had suffered a broken arm and two rib fractures. |
The toddler also had bite marks on his arm, which matched Davenport's teeth. | The toddler also had bite marks on his arm, which matched Davenport's teeth. |
Days before Joshua's death Bowman told social services she would not leave her son alone with Davenport. | Days before Joshua's death Bowman told social services she would not leave her son alone with Davenport. |
Judge Mr Justice Ouseley, sentencing, described her as "a victim" and suspended her six-month sentence for two years. | Judge Mr Justice Ouseley, sentencing, described her as "a victim" and suspended her six-month sentence for two years. |
He told Davenport he had a problem controlling his temper, but that he was not sadistic. | He told Davenport he had a problem controlling his temper, but that he was not sadistic. |
"You did what you did because you couldn't control your temper and because you thought hitting a child was an appropriate way to dish out physical punishment or discipline," he said. | "You did what you did because you couldn't control your temper and because you thought hitting a child was an appropriate way to dish out physical punishment or discipline," he said. |
I am entirely satisfied you were a loving mother who cared fully for your child Judge Ouseley | I am entirely satisfied you were a loving mother who cared fully for your child Judge Ouseley |
Bowman's barrister, Stephen Riordan QC, described Davenport as an "evil" man who took advantage of her lack of self-esteem and confidence. | Bowman's barrister, Stephen Riordan QC, described Davenport as an "evil" man who took advantage of her lack of self-esteem and confidence. |
"It was evil clothed at that time in what was for her a most attractive form because he brought romance into her life, bombarding her with flowers, poems and presents," he said. | "It was evil clothed at that time in what was for her a most attractive form because he brought romance into her life, bombarding her with flowers, poems and presents," he said. |
But he said his client, who has been the target of a hate campaign in Runcorn, was "blind to his controlling and dominating influence". | But he said his client, who has been the target of a hate campaign in Runcorn, was "blind to his controlling and dominating influence". |
Judge Ouseley said Bowman was so desperate to have a man in her life "she closed her eyes to what was obvious". | Judge Ouseley said Bowman was so desperate to have a man in her life "she closed her eyes to what was obvious". |
Joshua Jones' aunt said she is disgusted with the six-year sentence | Joshua Jones' aunt said she is disgusted with the six-year sentence |
A pre-sentencing report described her as a danger to children, but he disagreed, saying there was no public interest in sending her to jail. | A pre-sentencing report described her as a danger to children, but he disagreed, saying there was no public interest in sending her to jail. |
"I am entirely satisfied you were a loving mother who cared fully for your child," said the judge. | "I am entirely satisfied you were a loving mother who cared fully for your child," said the judge. |
"The person who is entirely responsible for the death of Joshua is Mr Davenport, not you." | "The person who is entirely responsible for the death of Joshua is Mr Davenport, not you." |
Speaking after the hearing, Pat Jones, Joshua's aunt, said she was angry at the sentences the pair received, believing that Davenport could be released in three years. | Speaking after the hearing, Pat Jones, Joshua's aunt, said she was angry at the sentences the pair received, believing that Davenport could be released in three years. |
Ms Jones said: "I think it is disgusting, highly disgusting, they have got away. All he (Joshua) was worth was three years. | Ms Jones said: "I think it is disgusting, highly disgusting, they have got away. All he (Joshua) was worth was three years. |
"He was only a baby... she is walking and he got six years." | "He was only a baby... she is walking and he got six years." |