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| Babysitter guilty of boy's murder | Babysitter guilty of boy's murder |
| (21 minutes later) | |
| A teenage babysitter has been found guilty of the murder of a 22-month-old boy in his care. | A teenage babysitter has been found guilty of the murder of a 22-month-old boy in his care. |
| Joshua Cook, who was 17, sexually abused the toddler before killing him in a "sustained and violent" attack, Bradford Crown Court heard. | Joshua Cook, who was 17, sexually abused the toddler before killing him in a "sustained and violent" attack, Bradford Crown Court heard. |
| Charlie Johnson died from severe head injuries after the assault at his home in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, in May last year. | Charlie Johnson died from severe head injuries after the assault at his home in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, in May last year. |
| A jury took just over two hours to unanimously find Cook guilty of murder. | A jury took just over two hours to unanimously find Cook guilty of murder. |
| The toddler's family cheered and clapped in the public gallery when the verdict was read out. | The toddler's family cheered and clapped in the public gallery when the verdict was read out. |
| Cook, who is now 18, had denied murder but admitted manslaughter and sexual assault. I am pleased that justice has been done and hope that today's verdict can bring some closure for Charlie's family Det Ch Insp Alan Carey | |
| Sentencing was adjourned for six weeks so pre-sentence and psychiatric reports could be prepared. | Sentencing was adjourned for six weeks so pre-sentence and psychiatric reports could be prepared. |
| Cook had been a regular childminder for Charlie's mother Georgina Fisher for about four months before the attack. | |
| On 16 May, Ms Fisher dropped her other two children at school before heading to York races for a day out with her workmates. | |
| Cook, the son of a friend of Ms Fisher, arrived at her home to look after Charlie for the day. | |
| But later that afternoon, Cook was seen on the street looking agitated and carrying the toddler in a towel. | |
| When his neighbour asked what was wrong, Cook cried: "He's dead. He's dead." | |
| 'Traumatic investigation' | |
| Charlie was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, where he died early the next morning during brain surgery. | |
| A pathologist told the jury that the toddler had a large blood clot over the surface of the brain. | |
| He also discovered extensive bruising to the body, bleeding around the eyes and evidence of sexual assault that would have caused "substantial pain". | |
| Prosecuting barrister Bryan Cox QC told the court that the deeper bruising suggested punching, kicking or "violent shaking". | |
| Speaking after the verdict, Det Ch Insp Alan Carey from North Yorkshire Police said: "I am pleased that justice has been done and hope that today's verdict can bring some closure for Charlie's family and they can now grieve properly for their little boy. | |
| "Although I know that they will find it difficult to ever come to terms with his death, our thoughts remain with them after what has been a distressing and traumatic investigation for everyone involved." |