A man who caused his two-year-old son's death by suffocation, resulting in severe disabilities, has been sentenced for his murder after a lapse of 21 years since the incident.
Alan Bird, aged 48, smothered Lewis Turner at their residence in Dewsbury back in 2001, which left the young boy with a brain injury.
Initially, Bird was sentenced in 2002 after confessing to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
However, following Lewis's death in 2019, he was subsequently charged with murder.
Bird received a life sentence after being convicted at Leeds Crown Court.
The court heard that Lewis died at age 19 at his foster parents' home in Leeds in July 2019.
His death was attributed to an infection related to a feeding tube.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution argued that Lewis only needed the feeding tube because of Bird's assault, making Bird criminally liable for his death.
Currently residing on Common Road in Batley, Bird was ordered to serve a minimum of eight years before he becomes eligible for parole.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
A man who caused his two-year-old son's death by suffocation, resulting in severe disabilities, has been sentenced for his murder after a lapse of 21 years since the incident. Alan Bird, aged 48, smothered Lewis Turner at their residence...
Life or indeterminate sentence
life
Bird received a life sentence after being convicted at Leeds Crown Court
Prison sentence
eight years
Currently residing on Common Road in Batley, Bird was ordered to serve a minimum of eight years before he becomes eligible for parole
