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Eve Leatherland: Mum's partner jailed for toddler murder | Eve Leatherland: Mum's partner jailed for toddler murder |
(32 minutes later) | |
A man who beat and poisoned his partner's 22-month-old daughter has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years. | A man who beat and poisoned his partner's 22-month-old daughter has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years. |
Eve Leatherland had multiple fractures and a fatal dose of codeine in her system when she was found "stiff" in her bed in Cornwall in October 2017. | Eve Leatherland had multiple fractures and a fatal dose of codeine in her system when she was found "stiff" in her bed in Cornwall in October 2017. |
Thomas Curd, 31, was found guilty of her murder at Truro Crown Court on Thursday. | Thomas Curd, 31, was found guilty of her murder at Truro Crown Court on Thursday. |
Her mother Abigail Leatherland, 26, was found guilty of causing or allowing her death but acquitted of manslaughter. | Her mother Abigail Leatherland, 26, was found guilty of causing or allowing her death but acquitted of manslaughter. |
She was jailed for three-and-a-half years. | She was jailed for three-and-a-half years. |
Judge Mrs Justice May told Curd he "wilfully, fatally failed Eve over and over when you repeatedly assaulted her". | Judge Mrs Justice May told Curd he "wilfully, fatally failed Eve over and over when you repeatedly assaulted her". |
Sentencing Leatherland, the judge said she "did not take any steps to protect or care for Eve". | Sentencing Leatherland, the judge said she "did not take any steps to protect or care for Eve". |
"I have no doubt your greatest punishment is knowing that you failed your daughter when she most needed you. | "I have no doubt your greatest punishment is knowing that you failed your daughter when she most needed you. |
She added it was a "bleak, disorientating and comfortless way for that little girl to die". | |
Eve's ribs and skull were fractured and re-fractured in "at least three" attacks, and she was poisoned with the painkiller in an attempt to mask the injuries, the court heard. | Eve's ribs and skull were fractured and re-fractured in "at least three" attacks, and she was poisoned with the painkiller in an attempt to mask the injuries, the court heard. |
She had also suffered a ruptured liver prior to her death at their then home in Liskeard. | She had also suffered a ruptured liver prior to her death at their then home in Liskeard. |
The jury was told Eve had almost certainly been dead for several hours before her mother dialled 999 on 5 October. | The jury was told Eve had almost certainly been dead for several hours before her mother dialled 999 on 5 October. |
Leatherland had moved to Cornwall from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, earlier in 2017. | Leatherland had moved to Cornwall from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, earlier in 2017. |
During the trial, jurors saw a number of photos and videos taken by the defendants that showed Eve looking extremely unwell in the days before she was killed. | During the trial, jurors saw a number of photos and videos taken by the defendants that showed Eve looking extremely unwell in the days before she was killed. |
They also saw pictures of her blood-stained mattress. | They also saw pictures of her blood-stained mattress. |
Consultant paediatrician Dr Deborah Stalker said she had counted 19 surface bruises on Eve's head and body and 12 abrasions. | Consultant paediatrician Dr Deborah Stalker said she had counted 19 surface bruises on Eve's head and body and 12 abrasions. |
She told jurors there was "no explanation" for some of the facial bruises and they were "highly suggestive of abusive or inflicted injuries". | She told jurors there was "no explanation" for some of the facial bruises and they were "highly suggestive of abusive or inflicted injuries". |
Prosecutor Sean Brunton QC said Eve's injuries were "most commonly associated" with a car crash. | Prosecutor Sean Brunton QC said Eve's injuries were "most commonly associated" with a car crash. |
"The pain she must have experienced can only be imagined," he said. | "The pain she must have experienced can only be imagined," he said. |