Father sentenced to 21 years for 'sadistic' murder of 4-year-old daughter

The father of four-year-old Alexa-Marie Quinn was jailed for 21 years today for killing on March 12 last year.

Alexa-Marie died due to "extreme blunt-force trauma" after being beaten brutally by her father who said he "lost his temper". More than 60 injuries were recorded on her body and two of her little teeth were knocked out, the pathologist said.

Carl Wheatley, 31, from Hatfield in Herfordshire, had admitted manslaughter but the jury rejected his plea of not-guilty to murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Wheatley, a supermarket worker with a history of violence, had been twice arrested for assault and had been convicted of a public order offence.

His daughter had been in his care for just three months leading up to her death, after being cared for in foster parents. She was taken from her mother when she was two.

The jury at the trial heard that Wheatley's internet searches included "what glue can I use to put teeth back in." Police described him as a "manipulative man who took his frustrations out on his daughter".

Wheatley was in the process of applying for custody of another child, a son who has not been named for his protection.

Police said Alexa-Marie's death was the culmination of weeks of abuse at his hands.

In a statement released by Alexa-Marie's mother, she said her life would never be the same.