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Balloon release honours toddler | |
(about 12 hours later) | |
A parade and balloon release has taken place in honour of a Dundee toddler killed by his mother's boyfriend. | |
Robert Cunningham, 23, hit Brandon Muir so hard that the 23-month-old's intestine burst and he died from his injuries in March last year. | Robert Cunningham, 23, hit Brandon Muir so hard that the 23-month-old's intestine burst and he died from his injuries in March last year. |
Cunningham was jailed for 10 years for culpable homicide. Brandon's mother, Heather Boyd, was cleared of the charges against her. | Cunningham was jailed for 10 years for culpable homicide. Brandon's mother, Heather Boyd, was cleared of the charges against her. |
Organisers said the event was not a protest, but a way to pay tribute. | Organisers said the event was not a protest, but a way to pay tribute. |
Participants marched from Dundee High School to Tayside Police headquarters, where balloons were released. | |
Organisers said between 130 and 200 people took part. Tayside Police put the figure at 60, and said the event passed off peacefully. | |
Allan Petrie, from the Real Justice for Brandon campaign, said: "There was a lot of support for us on the streets. Baby P touched a lot of people and Caleb Ness touched a lot of people, but this was on our doorsteps. | |
Robert Cunningham was sentenced to 10 years for killing Brandon | Robert Cunningham was sentenced to 10 years for killing Brandon |
"When something like this happens on people's doorsteps they seem to take more action and get more involved in it. | "When something like this happens on people's doorsteps they seem to take more action and get more involved in it. |
"We are looking at Robert Cunningham's sentence because we believe it is too lenient. | "We are looking at Robert Cunningham's sentence because we believe it is too lenient. |
"The judge should have given Robert Cunningham life for taking a life." | "The judge should have given Robert Cunningham life for taking a life." |
Brandon was pronounced dead in Ninewells Hospital on 16 March 2008. Examinations of his body found at least 40 injuries, including cracked ribs. | Brandon was pronounced dead in Ninewells Hospital on 16 March 2008. Examinations of his body found at least 40 injuries, including cracked ribs. |
Cunningham was initially charged with Brandon's murder but was later found guilty of the reduced charge of culpable homicide. | Cunningham was initially charged with Brandon's murder but was later found guilty of the reduced charge of culpable homicide. |
Ms Boyd had been charged with culpable homicide by failing to get Brandon medical treatment after he was attacked by Cunningham. | Ms Boyd had been charged with culpable homicide by failing to get Brandon medical treatment after he was attacked by Cunningham. |
However, a judge ruled it could not be proved that she knew her son had been hurt and she was acquitted. | However, a judge ruled it could not be proved that she knew her son had been hurt and she was acquitted. |
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