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Girl, 2, ‘suffered 101 injuries in “frenzied” attack by stepdad
who filmed “disturbing” clip of tot as she lay dying’
Holly Christodoulou, The Sun
Published: 12:11, 17 Mar 2023Updated: 12:48, 17 Mar 2023
A TODDLER suffered 101 injuries likened to a high speed car crash after she was fatally attacked at home by her stepdad, a court heard.
Jurors were told there was not one part of two-year-old Lola James' body that was not bruised.
Lola James suffered 101 injuries. She was allegedly attacked by stepdad Kyle Bevan. Credit: WNS
Mum Sinead James denies causing or allowing the death of a child. Credit: Athena
The girl tragically died four days after she was allegedly attacked at home in Pembrokeshire, Wales, by Kyle Bevan, 31.
The stepdad failed to call an ambulance immediately and instead recorded a "disturbing" 22 second film of stricken Lola as he attempted to prop her up, it was said.
Bevan claims the family dog pushed Lola down the stairs while mum Sinead James, 30, says she was asleep at the time, jurors heard.
So, you have a beautiful little girl being beaten to death. She would undoubtedly have been screaming. The dog would almost certainly have been barking incessantly, and the mom didn't wake up?
But Swansea Crown Court was told the toddler suffered a sickening list of 101 "severe and extensive" injuries that "cannot be explained by a fall down the stairs".
Paediatrician Dr Deborah Stalker said: "Physical abuse is the most likely cause.
"A stair fall does not explain the catastrophic and extensive injuries to the head with bleeding to both eyes."
Jurors were told Lola's brain injuries were most likely caused by shaking, with the tot also suffering "gripping" injuries to her neck.
There was bruising to her ears, which is rarely the result of an accident, with injuries to her head probably caused by "abusive head trauma", the medic said.
They also heard Lola had injuries to her back and legs that looked like they could have been caused by "three or four blows with a weapon".
Dr Stalker said: "An extensive subdural haemorrhage is usually the result of a high velocity road traffic collision where a child is thrown from the collision, or a fall from a great height, such as a fall from a balcony or bedroom window of more than 10 feet.
"The very severe and extensive injuries on Lola are not explained by a fall down domestic stairs.
"The most likely cause, in my opinion, is non-accidental injury, purposefully-inflicted injury, or physical abuse – the three terms are synonymous."
Bevan is accused of launching into a "frenzied and extremely violent attack" in July 2020 at the family home.
Does that mean he was on some heavy drugs?
Mum James told police she was asleep when Lola was injured and claimed to have no reason to think Bevan would harm her, it was said.
Does that mean she was on some heavy drugs?
She denies causing or allowing the death of a child, while Bevan denies murder.
The trial continues.
The full list of horrific injuries shown to jurors can be read in The Sun.
Killer stepmum who filmed boy, 3, as he lay dying instead of calling 999
after sending his dad chilling text is jailed
Holly Christodoulou, The Sun
Published: 12:33, 16 Mar 2023. Updated: 14:12, 16 Mar 2023
A KILLER stepmum who filmed her three-year-old stepson as he lay dying before sending her partner a chilling text has been jailed.
Harvey Borrington suffered a fractured skull and bleed on the brain after being slapped "multiple" times in the head.
Harvey Borrington died from a traumatic head injury.Credit: PA
His stepmum Leila Borrington was convicted of manslaughter. PA
The stricken toddler was filmed moaning on the living room floor by Leila Borrington, who claimed she made the harrowing clip to show paramedics.
Before eventually calling 999, the 23-year-old texted Harvey's dad, asking: "Why does this always happen to me?"
She later sent another message reading: "Don't leave the kids with me again."
Borrington has now been jailed for 15 years after she was convicted of manslaughter but cleared of murder.
She was also convicted of assault and causing grievous bodily harm after attacking Harvey on separate occasions.
In an emotional victim impact statement, Harvey's mum Katie Holroyd fought back tears as she described her pain at losing her "beautiful boy".
She said: "He was everything to me.
"Since the 9th August, 2021, not a day has gone by where we haven't woken up broken by the thought that will will never hold him again, hear his laugh or watch him grow up.
"Harvey's life was cruelly ended when he was only three years old, killed by the very person who was trusted to care for him and protect him.
"To this day I cannot bear to think of him lying on that floor dying with her filming him and delaying getting medical help for him.
"To have it confirmed that Harvey, before his death, had been assaulted by Leila Borrington will be a lifelong torment for now. A recurring nightmare which I will never be able to wake from."
Nottingham Crown Court heard how the stepmum was looking after the boy at home in Jacksdale, Nottinghamshire, when the horror unfolded.
Harrowing footage showed Harvey, who was autistic and non-verbal, lying motionless on a rug in the living room.
The tragic toddler could be heard moaning as Borrington yelled "Harvey, Harv" before sending the three-minute clip to his dad.
Sickeningly, she even picked up Harvey's arm and dropped it to the floor before finally ringing 999 to claim he had fallen.
Prosecutor Jonas Hankin KC said: "The tone of her voice, when calling Harvey's name, in her attempts to rouse him - if that's an accurate description, we say it is not - suggest an absence of compassion.
"The lifting and dropping of his arm in that way, similarly, appears to show indifference to the obvious severity of his condition."
Paramedics arrived to find Harvey "floppy" and unconscious so decided to rush him to hospital.
On the way, Borrington told the ambulance driver "it always happened when Harvey was with her".
She also text her partner, saying: "[Harvey] got up and was running riot, playing happily as ever, running between the sofas and then stood up on one and just came backwards…smacking his head off the floor."
Harvey tragically couldn't be saved and died on August 9, 2021 - two days after falling ill at home.
A post mortem revealed he had suffered trauma to the head, which had caused damage to the brain.
Medics found he had sustained other injuries in the weeks leading up to his death - including a broken arm, scrape on his back and marks on his ears and face.
Borrington tried claiming the injuries were either self-inflicted or happened when she pulled Harvey up after he tripped on the stairs.
But jurors were told the stepmum had "twisted and turned" her story to suit the evidence.
The prosecutor also said Borrington targeted Harvey as he was unable to communicate when he was in pain.
Detective Inspector Simon Harrison, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "This was a tragic incident that shocked the local community.
"Harvey was a much-loved little boy who was cherished by his parents and his wider family.
"As a police officer I am pleased with the decision of the jury in this case, but I acutely aware that it is of no consolation to those left behind.
"This has been a very lengthy and difficult investigation and I would like to thank everyone involved in getting us to this point."
The huge dark circles under Borrington's eyes may be an indication of a heavy dependence on drugs. I would be willing to bet that drugs were involved in this maniacal homicide. I also suspect drugs were prominent in the torture and killing of Lola James. I wish media reports would look into the involvement of drugs in child abuse. I'm sure it is a major contributor.
