Killer stepmum filmed dying toddler on floor instead of calling 999 – and lied about his fatal injuries
A KILLER stepmum filmed her dying stepson toddler on the floor instead of calling 999.
Leila Borrington has been found guilty of manslaughter after three-year-old Harvey Borrington was found "unconscious".
Paramedics discovered the tot's body at the family home in Nottinghamshire back in August 2021.
The young boy, who had autism and was non-verbal, was rushed to hospital.
He tragically died two days later of serious head injuries.
Borrington, 23, claimed Harvey had fallen from a chair and banged his head - but experts said his injuries were from repeated blows.
Read More on UK News
Cops said she then decided to film the boy on the floor and send it to his dad instead of calling for help.
A Nottinghamshire Police spokesman said: "Rather than phone an ambulance, she filmed a video of Harvey lying on the floor and sent it to his father who was out of the house at the time."
Borrington was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter after a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
The jury deliberated for more than 24 hours across several days before returning its verdicts on Tuesday.
Most read in The Sun
Borrington was also found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm on the youngster - in the form of an arm fracture - and causing bodily harm when she squeezed his cheeks.
The killer wiped away tears as she was convicted of manslaughter.
Borrington denied any wrongdoing and said Harvey, who was autistic, “fell backwards” off a leather armchair at home, causing a fatal brain bleed.
The court heard Harvey, who spent most weekends with Borrington, was found “unconscious” and “unresponsive” with “abnormal body posture” by paramedics on August 7, 2021.
Jonas Hankin KC, opening the prosecution’s case last November, said Borrington was caring for Harvey alone while the boy's father was at work when the fatal injury was likely inflicted.
Harvey was taken to King’s Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield before being transferred to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, where he died on August 9.
Describing the findings of a post-mortem examination, Mr Hankin said: “He had suffered trauma to the head.
“That had caused damage to the brain itself and bleeding overlying the brain which, together, squashed and damaged the brain, ultimately causing his death.”
Several medical experts and doctors, instructed by the prosecution, provided a “majority view” as to how the boy died, Mr Hankin said.
Speaking after the verdicts were returned, 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.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“This has been a very lengthy and difficult investigation and I would like to thank everyone involved in getting us to this point.”
Sentencing was adjourned until March 16.