Man given life sentence after attack on son in 2001

A man who smothered his toddler son in 2001 that left him with severe disabilities, has been given a life sentence after being convicted of his murder following his son’s death as an adult 18 years later.

Alan Bird, aged 48, of Common Road, Batley was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court, he will serve a minimum term of eight years before he can be considered for release

An investigation began in July 2019, after 19-year-old Lewis Turner was found dead at the home of his adoptive parents in Leeds.

Lewis had been left with permanent brain injuries after being suffocated by Bird in 2001 when he was two years old.

Bird was charged over the attack and later pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and child cruelty. He received an eight-year sentence in 2002 and served five years.

Bird was subsequently charged with murder following extensive consultation between the investigation team and the CPS.

The prosecution case was that he only had that feeding tube as a direct result of Bird attacking him and that therefore he was criminally responsible for his death.

The jury agreed that Bird’s actions in 2001 were a significant cause of Lewis’s death in 2019.

Detective Inspector James Entwistle, of Leeds District CID, said:

“This is an absolutely tragic case where a child has ultimately had their life taken away from them by their parent, who should have been there to care for and protect them.

“Lewis was initially left with severe disabilities after being seriously assaulted by Bird and died as a direct result of his actions, which were the violent culmination of a pattern of abuse and neglect of this little boy.

“Despite the care and support of his adoptive parents, Lewis’s quality of life was catastrophically reduced by the extensive disabilities caused to him by his father.

“Bird has rightly been convicted of murdering Lewis and the responsibility for his death rests solely with him.

“This was a complex and challenging investigation for my team given the passage of time involved, the expert medical evidence required, and detailed liaison with our colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service.

“We hope that our combined efforts to achieve justice for Lewis will provide some level of comfort and reassurance to those who cared for this child and young man who was so cruelly robbed of his life.”

In a statement, Lewis’s adoptive family said:

“Lewis is greatly missed by all of us. From the moment we adopted Lewis, we tried to provide him with as normal a life as possible, despite the severe injuries he had sustained.

“We are grateful that we were able to have so many fun and happy times with Lewis and make memories that we will always treasure. Lewis brought us so much joy, laughter and love whenever he was around. Lewis will always be with us.”

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• West Yorkshire Police