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Amina Agboola murder: Man who kicked toddler to death because she soiled herself is jailed for 17 years | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A man who murdered his girlfriend's two-year-old daughter by kicking her so hard she was thrown six feet across the room and ruptured her liver, has been jailed for life. | A man who murdered his girlfriend's two-year-old daughter by kicking her so hard she was thrown six feet across the room and ruptured her liver, has been jailed for life. |
Dean Harris, 20, killed Amina Agboola after becoming frustrated at her soiling herself, prosecutors told his trial at Cambridge Crown Court. | Dean Harris, 20, killed Amina Agboola after becoming frustrated at her soiling herself, prosecutors told his trial at Cambridge Crown Court. |
The force of the blow was so severe that it tore her liver in two. Paramedics described finding her lying "like a rag doll". | The force of the blow was so severe that it tore her liver in two. Paramedics described finding her lying "like a rag doll". |
Mr Harris, who wrote a detailed confession letter released by Cambridgeshire Police, had admitted manslaughter but was convicted of the child's murder. | Mr Harris, who wrote a detailed confession letter released by Cambridgeshire Police, had admitted manslaughter but was convicted of the child's murder. |
Amina's mother, Sarah Racqueman, 29, who had been in a relationship with Mr Harris for just five months, was cleared by a jury in June of causing or allowing her death. | Amina's mother, Sarah Racqueman, 29, who had been in a relationship with Mr Harris for just five months, was cleared by a jury in June of causing or allowing her death. |
The court heard that Harris was left alone with the toddler in November last year despite warnings from social workers that he was dangerous because of a history of domestic violence. | The court heard that Harris was left alone with the toddler in November last year despite warnings from social workers that he was dangerous because of a history of domestic violence. |
Dean Harris Speaking after the sentencing, Amina's father, Reuben Agboola, said: "I am pleased with the sentence Dean Harris has received today. However the grief feels like it has no end. | Dean Harris Speaking after the sentencing, Amina's father, Reuben Agboola, said: "I am pleased with the sentence Dean Harris has received today. However the grief feels like it has no end. |
"I think about Amina constantly. I still cry every day. | "I think about Amina constantly. I still cry every day. |
"I go through the motions of living but inside I am somewhere else thinking about my daughter all the time. | "I go through the motions of living but inside I am somewhere else thinking about my daughter all the time. |
"No one understands the pain except those people who are experiencing it. My heart reaches out to every parent on earth who is suffering the loss of a child." | "No one understands the pain except those people who are experiencing it. My heart reaches out to every parent on earth who is suffering the loss of a child." |
Amina's mother, Sarah Racqueman, was acquitted of causing or allowing the death but admitted two other charges of neglect relating to other children. | Amina's mother, Sarah Racqueman, was acquitted of causing or allowing the death but admitted two other charges of neglect relating to other children. |
She was given a suspended sentence earlier this month. | She was given a suspended sentence earlier this month. |
The trial heard Amina was found to have had a number of other injuries, including an untreated broken wrist. | The trial heard Amina was found to have had a number of other injuries, including an untreated broken wrist. |
Detective Inspector Alan Page said: "This was a horrendous case. | Detective Inspector Alan Page said: "This was a horrendous case. |
"There can be no justification for using violence against any child and Harris will have to deal with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life. | "There can be no justification for using violence against any child and Harris will have to deal with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life. |
"While no sentence can ease the pain felt by Amina's family, hopefully they will now be able to start moving on with their lives." | "While no sentence can ease the pain felt by Amina's family, hopefully they will now be able to start moving on with their lives." |
Additional reporting by the Press Association | Additional reporting by the Press Association |
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