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Childminder guilty of killing boy | Childminder guilty of killing boy |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A childminder has been found guilty of manslaughter after a 16-month-old boy died in her care. | A childminder has been found guilty of manslaughter after a 16-month-old boy died in her care. |
Agnes Wong, 28, was looking after Hugo Wang at her flat in Frank Cowin Court, Fitzwilliam Street, Salford, last year when he suffered fatal head injuries. | Agnes Wong, 28, was looking after Hugo Wang at her flat in Frank Cowin Court, Fitzwilliam Street, Salford, last year when he suffered fatal head injuries. |
Manchester Crown Court heard she had picked him up by his ankles and flung him against either a bed or a settee. | Manchester Crown Court heard she had picked him up by his ankles and flung him against either a bed or a settee. |
Wong denied murder but was found guilty of manslaughter and is to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court in April. | Wong denied murder but was found guilty of manslaughter and is to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court in April. |
The toddler was taken to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury on 25 January 2007, but died from his injuries the next day. | The toddler was taken to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury on 25 January 2007, but died from his injuries the next day. |
Hugo's brain was accelerated and stopped very quickly Det Ch Insp Geoff Wessell | |
He suffered bleeding and severe swelling of the brain and had bruising to his legs, a burn mark and bite marks. | He suffered bleeding and severe swelling of the brain and had bruising to his legs, a burn mark and bite marks. |
Wong, her boyfriend Jian Jiu, and two others in their flat were initially arrested on suspicion of assault. | |
But an hour after Hugo died, the couple were re-arrested on suspicion of his murder. | |
Wong was charged with Hugo's murder on 29 January, and Jian Jiu was charged with causing or allowing the death of a child by an unlawful act. | |
During the course of the two-week trial this charge was dropped. | |
The two others who were arrested were released without charge. | |
'Burn mark' | |
In court, Wong admitted that she had hit and bitten Hugo in the days before his death when he had been "naughty". | In court, Wong admitted that she had hit and bitten Hugo in the days before his death when he had been "naughty". |
She claimed the burn mark was caused when Hugo was playing with a hairdryer. | She claimed the burn mark was caused when Hugo was playing with a hairdryer. |
Hugo was being cared for by Wong, who was being paid £120 a week to look after him. | Hugo was being cared for by Wong, who was being paid £120 a week to look after him. |
His father and mother, who was only 16 when she gave birth, worked at a Chinese restaurant in Southport. | His father and mother, who was only 16 when she gave birth, worked at a Chinese restaurant in Southport. |
His mother only saw Hugo once a week, the court was told. | His mother only saw Hugo once a week, the court was told. |
'Extreme force' | 'Extreme force' |
After the hearing Det Ch Insp Geoff Wessell, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "From speaking to medical experts we think that Hugo died after his head was hit with extreme force against a soft surface. | After the hearing Det Ch Insp Geoff Wessell, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "From speaking to medical experts we think that Hugo died after his head was hit with extreme force against a soft surface. |
"Marks on his legs could have been the result of him having been held by his ankles and swung round. Hugo's brain was accelerated and stopped very quickly. | "Marks on his legs could have been the result of him having been held by his ankles and swung round. Hugo's brain was accelerated and stopped very quickly. |
"There is no way unintentional rough handling of a child would have resulted in this kind of injury. | "There is no way unintentional rough handling of a child would have resulted in this kind of injury. |
"Instead of caring for Hugo, Wong punished him for doing just what children do - cry and crave attention," he added. | "Instead of caring for Hugo, Wong punished him for doing just what children do - cry and crave attention," he added. |
"I hope Hugo's parents can seek some comfort that justice has been done today." | "I hope Hugo's parents can seek some comfort that justice has been done today." |