Toddler, 17 months, murdered by his mum’s boyfriend… and she LIED to cover up the killing
Partner sentenced to life with a minimum of 17 years - and judge says he may never be freed
A MAN has been jailed for life and told he "may never be freed" after he murdered his new girlfriend's 17-month-old son before she then lied to help it cover up by pretending he's fallen down the stairs.
Little Finley Thomas suffered "catastrophic" head injuries after being attacked by his mother's lover at their home.
Sean Buckley, 28, was today found guilty of Finley's murder despite the lies from his "obsessed" mother Chloe Thomas.
This afternoon the thug was jailed for life, and must serve a minimum of 17 years, but warned by judge Mrs Justice Frances Patterson he may never be freed.
He was also handed a four-year sentence, to run concurrently, for child cruelty.
Mum Chloe Thomas, 25, claimed the child had simply fallen down the stairs when paramedics were called to their home - and Buckley later claimed the dog knocked him down.
The 999 crew found little Finley unconscious on the living room floor and he later died from brain injuries in hospital.
The tot was found to have both cocaine and cannabis in his body when he died.
A court heard doctors found various marks, bruising and complex head injuries which "a baby should not have."
Prosecutor Roger Thomas told the court how the couple spun "wicked and deliberate" lies to hide the physical abuse the baby had suffered.
Mr Thomas said: "The catastrophic injuries which resulted in his death were not from a simple fall but rather from a deliberate and abusive act by Buckley that had a devastating effect.
"Evidence shows Finley was subject to repeated assaults before he died."
The court was told that the baby's mum made a 999 call to paramedics around 2.15pm on September 23 2014 from her home in Rhondda, South Wales.
She told how her son had fallen from the top of the stairs while she was out and "wasn't moving."
The court heard this was backed up by Buckley, who said he had been upstairs when he heard the baby fall, and mentioned he had fallen down the stairs in the past.
Finley was taken to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, but died the next day.
Doctors who examined the baby's body found previous multiple bleeds and injuries to his head and spine which were consistent with "non accidental injury", including bleeding to his eyes 72 hours before he died.
Sickeningly one injury was described as possibly being caused by his scalp being pulled from his skull.
Buckley, of Tonypandy, Rhondda, South Wales, denied murder but was found guilty.
Thomas, also of Tonypandy, originally denied child cruelty but changed her plea to guilty half way through the trial.
She will be sentenced at a later date.
Following the verdict Des Mannion, head of NSPCC Wales, said: "The horrendous abuse suffered by Finley Thomas and the horrific way he died is deeply shocking. A defenceless toddler was subjected to appalling levels of violence by a man who should have been protecting him.
"Finley's young life has been tragically cut short and his mother's admission of cruelty further highlights his complete lack of protection from the abuse being inflicted on him.
"Everyone who has followed the trial will have been deeply affected by the evidence of brutality that blighted Finley's life.
"It is a sad reality that cases of abuse and neglect take place every day in homes across the country. Each will severely damage a child's future.
"Babies and young children are entirely dependent on those who care for them and we all have a duty to look out for their welfare.
"We now expect there to be a detailed case review which should provide much-needed answers into how this tragedy took place and help prevent children like Finley suffering in this way again."
Nicola Rees, acting head of the Crown Prosecution Service Wales Complex Casework Unit, said: "Finley Thomas died of head injuries as a result of the actions of Sean Buckley.
"During the course of the trial the court heard a great deal of detail about the nature of the injuries inflicted on Finley.
"The prosecution was in no doubt that Buckley was responsible for Finley’s tragic death and, having heard all the evidence, a jury has now reached the same conclusion.
"After Finley’s death Buckley attempted to cover up what he had done in a bid to avoid justice.
"A thorough police investigation ensured that this course of action did not succeed.
"Whilst Chloe Thomas acknowledged her role in this series of events, entering a guilty plea to child cruelty during the course of court proceedings, Sean Buckley has refused to take any responsibility for his actions. A jury has now ensured that he must do so.
"Finley’s tragic death has brought grief to his family and those close to him and our thoughts and sympathies are with them."
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