Maya Chappell: Man found guilty of murdering girl, 2, in Shotton Colliery

• Watch Gregg Easteal's report

A man has been found guilty of murdering his girlfriend's toddler in County Durham.

Two-year-old Maya Chappell died as a result of a "constellation of injuries" inflicted by Michael Daymond, 27, at home in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, last September.

Maya's mother Dana Carr, 24, has been found guilty of child cruelty by neglect and a separate charge of allowing the death of a child.

The pair had denied all the offences and have been standing trial at Teesside Crown Court.

A jury has found them guilty of all charges.

The court had heard the couple had moved in together just a month before Maya's death.

On the day Maya suffered the fatal injuries, she had been left in Daymond's sole care while Carr went to work.

In the hours leading up to the fatal attack, Daymond made repeated calls and log-in attempts to sort out his Universal Credit status, and by around 2pm he had found out it had been cut off.

Around 90 minutes later, he quickly dialled Carr – presumably to tell her that something had happened to Maya – before he rang 999 to say he had found the little girl “gasping for breath”.

As Carr tried to race back home, she texted Daymond, saying words to the effect: “I’m coming”, “please don’t leave me” and “are you ok”.

Ben Nolan KC, prosecuting, pointed out to the jury: “Not a single message asking about Maya.”

The prosecution had alleged Maya was shaken by Daymond. She died in hospital two days after the attack, having never regained consciousness.

The court had heard from a number of witnesses who said she had suffered bruises in the run up to her death.

Daymond chose not to give evidence but told police that Maya was injured when she accidentally fell out of bed.

Carr was said to be "besotted" with her new boyfriend and told the court she did not believe he would hurt her daughter.

Maya’s father had raised concerns about bruising he saw on his daughter’s body during visits she had with him.

But Carr repeatedly lied to him about them, the court heard.

The pair will be sentenced on Friday 22 December.

Carr was released on bail until her next court appearance. Daymond was remanded in custody.

Detective Superintendent Chris Barker, of Durham Police, said: “Maya Chappell died at the hands of someone who should have been caring for her. 

“Maya was defenceless. She was two years old and should have felt safe at home, learning, playing, and having fun but instead she lived in constant fear of what Michael Daymond was going to do to her next. 

“She was too young to be able to tell anyone of her suffering and her mother Dana Carr who knew about the bruises but failed to act.

“Daymond thought he could get away with causing her pain by feeding those around him repeated lies and excuses.

“Eventually he killed her. But his cowardly unwillingness to admit what he did means we may never know why he killed Maya or exactly what went on in the weeks leading up to her death.

“What we do know is Maya didn’t deserve to die.

“I am grateful to the jury for seeing through Daymond’s abhorrent behaviour and convicting him today.

“Sadly, nothing will bring Maya back, but we hope the outcome here today brings some closure for those who truly cared about her.”

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