Fleetwood dad jailed for life for murdering baby daughter
A father who violently threw his crying baby daughter onto the sofa in a fit of temper has been jailed for life for her murder.
A father who violently threw his crying baby daughter onto the sofa in a fit of temper has been jailed for life for her murder.
John Burrill, 31, admitted his actions led to two-month-old Daisy-Mae suffering a fractured skull and brain damage, but he denied intending to kill or at least cause really serious harm to her at the family home in Fleetwood, Lancashire.
However, a jury at Preston Crown Court disagreed and unanimously found him guilty after just over an hour of deliberations.
The court had heard that Burrill's then-partner Ashlee Cox, mother of Daisy-Mae, described him as moody'' when he got up to feed her in the early hours of March 11 at their home in Warren Street.
Burrill told the court the baby had gone back to sleep by the time he got downstairs but began to cry again, so he picked her up.
He then admitted he lost his temper quite a lot'' and added:I think the tiredness just took over and I really lost my rag and I threw her down onto the couch.''
The defendant could not explain the extent of the injuries which the prosecution said were consistent with Daisy-Mae being gripped by the legs and swung against a hard surface.
Daisy-Mae was rushed to hospital after she went into cardiac arrest before a decision was made to turn off her life support machine on March 14.
The court heard Burrill did not admit causing her injuries until shortly before the trial got under way The B & M Bargains store worker initially told medical staff and police that Daisy-Mae became limp while downstairs and he could not explain why.
Andrew O'Byrne QC said the defendant had lied repeatedly to save his own skin.
He added:Poor Daisy-Mae made the fateful error. The child cried and irritated her father. He lost his temper and he hurt her and he killed her.I am sure that he now regrets it, but that is the cold and brutal truth.''
Brett Gerrity, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: “This is tragic case whereby John Burrill carried out a vicious assault upon a defenceless baby resulting in her death.
“He had smoked cannabis throughout the early hours of the night whilst tending to his daughter who would not settle.
“For a reason only he can explain, he lost his temper and caused a forceful impact to her head. He initially denied all responsibility for causing her injuries, but later admitted he had used force upon her but that he had not intended to cause her serious injury or death. However after careful consideration of the evidence against him, the jury have today concluded that he did in fact murder his two-month-old baby.
"We understand that today’s outcome cannot in any way make up for the loss of Daisy-Mae but our thoughts are very much with the rest of the family at this very difficult time.
"The Crown Prosecution Service is committed to protecting young people and children and will continue to work with the police to bring those who harm them to justice."
Daisy Mae’s mother, Ashlee Cox, added: “Daisy-Mae was taken from us at nine weeks old. She was a beautiful baby girl and a much-loved new addition to the family.
“Words cannot express the pain and anguish my family and I have endured since Daisy-Mae’s death. This suffering has been made worse by John Burrill’s refusal to admit that he alone was responsible for her death.
“Even though Daisy has gone, she will never be forgotten. She will be forever in our hearts and although justice has been served it will never bring her back.
“We would now ask that we are left in peace to finally grieve our loss.”