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Man guilty of 1982 child murder Man guilty of 1982 child murder
(about 2 hours later)
A man has been found guilty of murdering his former partner's daughter nearly 25 years ago.A man has been found guilty of murdering his former partner's daughter nearly 25 years ago.
Nicholas Byard, 46, of The Common, Barwell, Leicestershire, had denied murder and claimed three-year-old Lisa Jayne Pegg died in a fall in 1982.Nicholas Byard, 46, of The Common, Barwell, Leicestershire, had denied murder and claimed three-year-old Lisa Jayne Pegg died in a fall in 1982.
He was living with the child's mother, Julie Pegg, in Burbage, near Hinckley, when the child suffered her injuries.He was living with the child's mother, Julie Pegg, in Burbage, near Hinckley, when the child suffered her injuries.
New medical advice was given to police after the case was reopened in 2002. Byard will be sentenced on Thursday.New medical advice was given to police after the case was reopened in 2002. Byard will be sentenced on Thursday.
Members of Byard's family broke down in tears in the public gallery as the jury returned the verdict.
The 46-year-old had told the court the child suffered fatal internal injuries by falling down the stairs at the couple's home in Banky Meadow, Burbage.The 46-year-old had told the court the child suffered fatal internal injuries by falling down the stairs at the couple's home in Banky Meadow, Burbage.
Lisa Jayne Pegg died from severe abdominal injuries
But the prosecution alleged they were inflicted by him.But the prosecution alleged they were inflicted by him.
Lisa Jayne Pegg died from severe abdominal injuries
Byard, a mechanic, told the court: "I saw her with her face on the landing and with her legs up on the stairs at the bottom of the stairwell.Byard, a mechanic, told the court: "I saw her with her face on the landing and with her legs up on the stairs at the bottom of the stairwell.
"She was just lying there and, as I picked her up, she started crying. "She was just lying there and, as I picked her up, she started crying."
"Lisa had a graze on her forehead and nose and a red mark on her stomach."
The little girl died later in hospital.The little girl died later in hospital.
Lack of evidence
Peter Joyce QC, prosecuting, told the court the evidence was "consistent with assault".Peter Joyce QC, prosecuting, told the court the evidence was "consistent with assault".
Police investigated her death but the case was not pursued after the Attorney General deemed there was a lack of evidence. Police investigated her death but the case was not pursued after the Attorney General ruled there was insufficient evidence.
But it was left on file after the coroner in her inquest recorded an open verdict. 'Justice for Lisa'
In 2002, the child's father, soldier Alan Pegg, asked police to reopen the probe into his daughter's death. But it was left on file after the coroner at the girl's inquest recorded an open verdict.
In 2002, the child's father, soldier Alan Pegg, asked police to reopen the inquiry into his daughter's death.
A review and fresh advice from medical experts suggested the toddler's injuries were too severe to have been suffered in a fall.A review and fresh advice from medical experts suggested the toddler's injuries were too severe to have been suffered in a fall.
Assault convictions Speaking after the verdict was returned, Mr Pegg said "This trial has been a tribute to Lisa's life, made possible by all the people who have worked so hard to obtain justice for her.
"She deserved justice and I believe today it was done.
"The reason I wrote to the police about this case, was not because I wanted revenge for Lisa's death. I did it solely for Lisa and for all her family members."
After the verdict was returned, the court heard that Byard had a number of previous convictions for assault.After the verdict was returned, the court heard that Byard had a number of previous convictions for assault.
He had also been given a caution for an assault on Lisa in September 1981 after Mr Pegg complained to police.He had also been given a caution for an assault on Lisa in September 1981 after Mr Pegg complained to police.
Byard said he had smacked her on the bottom after Lisa had sworn and refused to go to sleep, despite repeated requests from her mother.
The court heard the couple stayed together after Lisa's death and had two children together.