Life for mother who killed toddler after 'brutal' attack which left him with 37 injuries
A mother has been jailed for the 'brutal' murder of her two-year-old son who was found to have sustained 37 injuries and was left without medical help for 48 hours after the attack which led to his death.
Rebecca Shuttleworth was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years for the murder of her two-year-old son, who was beaten to death following months of ill-treatment.
ITV News Midlands Correspondent Rupert Evelyn reports:
The trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard how the body of her son Keanu Williams had 37 external injuries, a fractured skull and a fist-sized tear on his stomach when he was found dead in January 2011.
The detective in charge of the investigation said it was the worst child abuse case she had ever seen.
After his death Keanu was found to have extensive bruising to his head, stomach, back and legs, as well as previous burns to his foot.
His lifeless body was found by paramedics after Shuttleworth's former partner, Luke Southerton dialled 999, claiming the boy had stopped breathing, was pale and had not been well.
Although fatal injuries had been inflicted up to 48 hours earlier, his mother did not seek medical help before the 999 call was made at 7.42pm on 9th January.
Keanu, who was known as 'Kiwi' by his family was described by the judge as, "a delightful little boy described as a real character, a little entertainer who remained cheerful despite everything."
During his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Spencer said:
Southerton was cleared of murder, manslaughter and causing or allowing Keanu's death, but convicted on one count of cruelty.
Southerton, was found guilty of wilful assault over a separate incident.
The 31-year-old will also have to complete 30 days of victim awareness work.
It also emerged that Shuttleworth had been filmed celebrating a friend's lottery win while waiting to go on trial for her son's murder.
The footage above shows People's Postcode Ambassador Judie McCourt presenting the prize at the home of a friend of Shuttleworth's.
Two-year-old Keanu died in January 2011, the video above was posted to Youtube seven months later, however was removed earlier today.