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Keanu Williams's mother and partner 'beat him to death' | Keanu Williams's mother and partner 'beat him to death' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A two-year-old boy was "beaten to death" by his mother and her boyfriend in Birmingham, a jury has been told. | A two-year-old boy was "beaten to death" by his mother and her boyfriend in Birmingham, a jury has been told. |
Toddler Keanu Williams died in January 2011 after being found with head and chest injuries in Ward End. | Toddler Keanu Williams died in January 2011 after being found with head and chest injuries in Ward End. |
His mother Rebecca Shuttleworth, 24, of Cottingham Road, Manchester, and Luke Southerton, 31, of Hagley Road, Birmingham, deny murdering Keanu. | His mother Rebecca Shuttleworth, 24, of Cottingham Road, Manchester, and Luke Southerton, 31, of Hagley Road, Birmingham, deny murdering Keanu. |
The pair also deny causing or allowing the death of a child and the charge of cruelty to a child aged under 16. | The pair also deny causing or allowing the death of a child and the charge of cruelty to a child aged under 16. |
Ms Shuttleworth denies a separate child cruelty charge against a different child. | Ms Shuttleworth denies a separate child cruelty charge against a different child. |
Christopher Hotten QC, prosecuting, told Birmingham Crown Court that Keanu had been "beaten to death". | Christopher Hotten QC, prosecuting, told Birmingham Crown Court that Keanu had been "beaten to death". |
Mr Hotten alleged the toddler sustained his fatal injuries after he arrived with his mother at Mr Southerton's flat in Old Moat Way, Ward End, on 7 January. | Mr Hotten alleged the toddler sustained his fatal injuries after he arrived with his mother at Mr Southerton's flat in Old Moat Way, Ward End, on 7 January. |
'Potent evidence' | 'Potent evidence' |
The jury was told Keanu's body was discovered after Mr Southerton had dialled 999 at 19:42 GMT on 9 January. | The jury was told Keanu's body was discovered after Mr Southerton had dialled 999 at 19:42 GMT on 9 January. |
During the call, Mr Southerton claimed the two-year-old had stopped breathing, was pale and had not been well all day. | During the call, Mr Southerton claimed the two-year-old had stopped breathing, was pale and had not been well all day. |
Seven minutes after the call had been made, a first responder arrived to find Keanu, who Mr Hotten alleged had already succumbed to internal bleeding. | Seven minutes after the call had been made, a first responder arrived to find Keanu, who Mr Hotten alleged had already succumbed to internal bleeding. |
Mr Hotten told the court: "We say he was undoubtedly dead. He was not breathing, there was no pulse, the pupils of his eyes were fixed and dilated." | Mr Hotten told the court: "We say he was undoubtedly dead. He was not breathing, there was no pulse, the pupils of his eyes were fixed and dilated." |
Keanu was taken by ambulance to Heartlands Hospital where he was formally pronounced dead at 20:30 GMT. | Keanu was taken by ambulance to Heartlands Hospital where he was formally pronounced dead at 20:30 GMT. |
The prosecution claimed the toddler's injuries were not an "isolated event" and that he had been ill-treated for months. | The prosecution claimed the toddler's injuries were not an "isolated event" and that he had been ill-treated for months. |
Mr Hotten added: "No medical help was sought for this child until he was dead. | Mr Hotten added: "No medical help was sought for this child until he was dead. |
"The fact that neither (defendant) sought help until it was too late is potent evidence that both knew the injuries were incapable of sensible explanation. | "The fact that neither (defendant) sought help until it was too late is potent evidence that both knew the injuries were incapable of sensible explanation. |
"It is also, we say, potent evidence that both were in it together. | "It is also, we say, potent evidence that both were in it together. |
"We say each is criminally responsible for the injuries that caused his death." | "We say each is criminally responsible for the injuries that caused his death." |
Struck at force | |
The prosecution added that medical staff had been "alarmed by the bruising they saw to his body". | |
Most of the bruising found by pathologists was to Keanu's lower chest and abdomen, but there were also found to be bruising to the head and back. | |
Mr Hotten alleged that "tramline" bruising on the toddler had been identified by a pathologist as being consistent with having been struck, at force, with a rod or stick. | |
The court also heard a fist-sized tear to Keanu's abdomen had caused substantial bleeding. | |
"We say that any competent carer would have realised that he was profoundly unwell and would have called an ambulance," Mr Hotten added. | |
"It was the effect of this injury, over a period of 24-48 hours, which was the main cause of his death." | |
The trial is expected to last three months. | The trial is expected to last three months. |