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Babysitter guilty of boy's murder | Babysitter guilty of boy's murder |
(20 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. | |
Charlie was a bright, happy boy and a joy to be around. He has left a huge gap in the lives of his family. Family statement | |
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. | Cook had been a regular childminder for Charlie's mother Georgina Fisher for about four months before the attack. |
On 16 May, 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. | But later that afternoon, Cook was seen on the street looking agitated and carrying the toddler in a towel. |
'Traumatic investigation' | 'Traumatic investigation' |
When his neighbour asked what was wrong, Cook cried: "He's dead. He's dead." | |
Charlie was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, where he died early the next morning during brain surgery. | Charlie was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, where he died early the next morning during brain surgery. |
Charlie had a large blood clot over the surface of his brain | |
A pathologist told the jury that the toddler had a large blood clot over the surface of the brain. | 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". | 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". | Prosecuting barrister Bryan Cox QC told the court that the deeper bruising suggested punching, kicking or "violent shaking". |
After the hearing, Charlie's family said in a statement they felt "immense relief" that Cook had been convicted of murder. | |
They said: "In court Joshua Cook failed to give an accurate account as to how or why he chose to end Charlie's life. | |
"Whilst the guilty verdict helps to bring some closure, Cook's failure to account for his actions has left the family with many unanswered questions about what happened to their son. | |
"Charlie was a bright, happy boy and a joy to be around. He has left a huge gap in the lives of his family, in particular his brother and sister who are struggling to come to terms with life without their baby brother." | |
Det Ch Insp Alan Carey, from North Yorkshire Police, said of Charlie's family: "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." |