'Sadistic' mum and partner jailed over Alfie Steele killing

A Droitwich mum has been jailed for 27 years for killing her son, with her partner jailed for life.

Carla Scott was found guilty of manslaughter after nine-year-old Alfie Steele was assaulted and killed in a bath of a cold water. She will serve a minimum of 17 years.

Her partner, Dirk Howell, was found guilty of murder and ha s been sentenced to life in prison. He will serve a minimum of 32 years before he can be considered for release.

The six-week trial at Coventry Crown Court also found Scott guilty of child cruelty offences, with Howell pleading guilty.

The jury heard how neighbours had raised concerns over the treatment of Alfie and how he was “dunked” in a cold bath as part of a cruel and "sinister" regime of correction by Scott and Howell.

Alfie was found with 50 injuries all over his body and a multi-agency review is now under way into the safeguarding of Alfie.

Making their final statements, the prosecution read personal statements from Scott's relatives who says everyone misses Alfie and that he was the "life and soul" of the party.

The court also heard how the family has been torn apart - and Alfie robbed of memories like passing his driving test.

The defence for Carla Scott told the court the 35-year-old is not a "monstrous individual" - as she had no previous convictions - and that the abuse was instigated by her partner.

It was also said that Scott was a "loving mother" and didn't strike Alfie until she met Howell.

The judge, Mr Justice Wall, said the pair both played active roles in the abuse, and they used weapons like sliders, and they also dunked or threw’ Alfie in a bath of cold water. He said some of their behaviour was sadistic.

He said it’s clear Alfie did not have the quiet death the pair claimed while lying to the court, but it was ‘brutal’ and ‘torture’.

He called Howell a bully with fiery and sometimes uncontrollable behaviour who once threatened to burn down a neighbours house after their raised concerns.

He said Scott was capable of standing up to Howell - but she chose not to and this has fatal consequences for Alfie.

Opening the case last month, prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC said that the pair thought it was acceptable to hit Alfie with "belts, or a slider, like a heavy-duty flip flop, and use other more sinister forms of punishment".

Scott and career criminal Howell tried to cover up the killing by delaying calling 999 after Alfie was either drowned, suffocated or went into cardiac arrest.

The court heard Alfie, who was found lifeless with a body temperature of 23C, may have been put back in a warm bath as the couple tried to pass off the murder as an accidental drowning.

During the trial, it emerged that Alfie was killed six months after a 999 call from a neighbour, warning police the couple were "doing something bad to their kid in the bath".

West Mercia PCC John Campion said:

“The sentencing today reflects the heinous actions of two individuals who should have been there to love, protect and nurture Alfie, but instead subjected him to sickening acts of abuse.

“It’s right both Scott and her partner, Howell have faced the full extent of the law for their abhorrent crimes and will remain behind bars for decades.

“I welcome the independent review led by Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership, rightly set up to establish whether all agencies involved could have done more to protect Alfie.

“I am committed to using my role as Commissioner to ensure any potential lessons that can be learnt from this tragic incident, are learnt.”

Paul Reid of the CPS said:

“We welcome today’s sentencing which reflects the severity of their crime and brings an end to what has been a long and complex case.

“The Crown Prosecution Service worked with West Mercia Police to build a strong case against Carla Scott and Dirk Howell to prove they were jointly responsible for the death of an innocent and defenceless child.

“As a mother, Scott tragically put her loyalty to her partner above her duty to protect her child. It is a tragedy that Alfie’s life was cruelly taken away by the people who were supposed to love and care for him.

“Our expert prosecutors presented a compelling case to the court, leading Scott to be convicted of manslaughter, while Howell was found guilty of murder. Both defendants will now face significant prison sentences as a result of their actions.

“We hope these verdicts are a reminder that child abuse will not be tolerated, and that those who choose abuse over compassion can expect to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt sympathies to Alfie’s family. While the jury’s verdict cannot replace their loss, I hope it brings them a small measure of comfort that the people responsible have been brought to justice.

“The CPS would also like to extend our thanks to West Mercia Police and to the witnesses who gave evidence in this case.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said:

“It’s heart-rending that in the months before he died, young Alfie was the victim of a campaign of cruelty inflicted by his own mother Carla Scott and her partner Dirk Howell, which culminated in his tragic death. Our hearts go out to those who loved and cared for this little boy during his short life.

“We know that concerns were raised about Alfie, and the Child Safeguarding Practice Review must establish whether more could have been done to safeguard him, so that in future the most vulnerable members of our society can be better protected.

“We would always encourage anyone with concerns for a child’s safety to contact the relevant authorities or the NSPCC Helpline, which provides free and confidential help and advice.”

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