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Daniel Pelka murder: Mother and partner given life Daniel Pelka murder: Mother and partner given life
(35 minutes later)
The mother of Daniel Pelka and her partner have both been jailed for life. The mother of Daniel Pelka and her partner have been jailed for life for the four-year-old's murder.
Magdelena Luczak, 27, and Mariusz Krezolek, 34, were convicted of four-year-old Daniel's murder at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday. Magdelena Luczak, 27, and Mariusz Krezolek, 34, must serve a minimum of 30 years each for what the judge called their "incomprehensible brutality".
Mrs Justice Cox said the sentence reflected the "incomprehensible brutality by both of you up to his death". Luczak and Krezolek blamed each other for killing Daniel who died from a head injury in March 2012.
She ordered that both must serve a minimum term of 30 years in jail before being considered for parole. Daniel, who had also been starved by the pair, weighed just over a stone and a half when he died.
Luczak and Krezolek had denied murder and blamed each other. 'Campaign of cruelty'
Daniel died from a head injury in March 2012. At Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Mrs Justice Cox told Luczak and Krezolek, who lived in Coventry, they had "caused [Daniel] severe physical and mental suffering".
'Designed to humiliate' She said Daniel's punishments were "designed to humiliate" and that he was "a victim of chronic and systematic starvation" in a "campaign of cruelty".
During the nine-week trial, jurors heard at the time of his death, Daniel weighed just over a stone and a half and had suffered a series of injuries. Mrs Justice Cox said: "Complicity in ill treatment started with a broken arm when he was just three and a half.
The judge told Luczak and Krezolek they had "caused [Daniel] severe physical and mental suffering". "What was handed out to Daniel was incomprehensible brutality by both of you."
Mrs Justice Cox said Daniel's punishments were "designed to humiliate" and that he was "a victim of chronic and systematic starvation".
The judge said the two had killed Daniel in a "campaign of cruelty".
"Complicity in ill treatment started with a broken arm when he was just three and a half.
"What was handed out to Daniel was incomprehensible brutality by both of you," she told the pair.
'Minimal mitigation'
He was also subjected to cold water punishment.He was also subjected to cold water punishment.
"We will never know exactly what form it took because you have not explained it - he must have been absolutely terrified," Mrs Justice Cox said."We will never know exactly what form it took because you have not explained it - he must have been absolutely terrified," Mrs Justice Cox said.
The pair "constructed a careful and wholly untruthful account" that Daniel had a serious eating disorder and learning difficulties, for which he was receiving medical treatment.
"This account was deliberately designed to prevent interference by school, medical and welfare personnel, and to perpetuate the brutality being meted out to him."
The judge said Luczak and Krezolek "instructed and encouraged" Daniel's sibling to tell lies to the authorities if they "were asked any questions about what was happening at home".
'Failings'
The judge said the level of culpability of Luczak and Krezolek was "extremely high" and that there was "minimal mitigation in this case".The judge said the level of culpability of Luczak and Krezolek was "extremely high" and that there was "minimal mitigation in this case".
Stephen Linnehan, representing Luczak, told the court she had come to "this country in search of a better life" and "has now lost everything".Stephen Linnehan, representing Luczak, told the court she had come to "this country in search of a better life" and "has now lost everything".
Krezolek's barrister told the court he did not have the intention to kill and was "deeply ashamed" of his conduct [towards Daniel].Krezolek's barrister told the court he did not have the intention to kill and was "deeply ashamed" of his conduct [towards Daniel].
Daniel's death is the subject of a serious case review by Coventry's Safeguarding Children Board and a report is due to be published in the next six weeks.Daniel's death is the subject of a serious case review by Coventry's Safeguarding Children Board and a report is due to be published in the next six weeks.
The review will look at what was done by police and social services after staff at Daniel's school - Coventry Little Heath Primary School - noticed bruising on his neck and what appeared to be two black eyes.The review will look at what was done by police and social services after staff at Daniel's school - Coventry Little Heath Primary School - noticed bruising on his neck and what appeared to be two black eyes.
Speaking to BBC News, Amy Weir, the independent chair of the board said: "Clearly there were failings in Daniel's case and the serious case review is looking at why systems that are in place were not used."Speaking to BBC News, Amy Weir, the independent chair of the board said: "Clearly there were failings in Daniel's case and the serious case review is looking at why systems that are in place were not used."
Senior crown prosecutor, Lisa Windridge, said after the sentencing that it had been a "very difficult case". Senior crown prosecutor, Lisa Windridge, said: "We hope that the sentence today brings closure to this case to the family of Daniel both in this country and in Poland.
"We hope that the sentence today brings closure to this case to the family of Daniel both in this country and in Poland.
"This has been a very difficult case for all of those involved with it and we are pleased that justice has finally been achieved for Daniel Pelka.""This has been a very difficult case for all of those involved with it and we are pleased that justice has finally been achieved for Daniel Pelka."