ANN MORRIS AND JUANILA SMIKLE SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY IN NOTTINGHAM

In a harrowing case that has shocked the Nottingham community, two women, Ann Morris and Juanila Smikle, have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in a prolonged campaign of abuse against a young girl named Shanay Walker. The disturbing details of the case emerged during an eight-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court, revealing a pattern of cruelty that lasted for more than two years and ultimately led to Shanay's tragic death.

Ann Morris, aged 24, who was Shanay’s paternal aunt and guardian, was found guilty of cruelty towards the girl. The court sentenced her to eight years in prison, though she was acquitted of her murder. Morris’s actions included frequent physical assaults, such as slappings, beatings, and force-feeding, as well as more extreme punishments like ice baths. Witnesses described her guardianship as strict and often violent, with reports indicating she would beat Shanay with a hairbrush or shoe and drag her along the floor. The court heard that Morris’s treatment of Shanay was both relentless and wicked, with her conduct described as a sustained campaign of cruelty.

Juanila Smikle, aged 54, the grandmother of Shanay, was also convicted of cruelty. She received a four-year prison sentence after being found guilty of abusing Shanay and three other children. However, she was acquitted of cruelty towards a fifth child. Witness testimonies painted a picture of a household where physical punishment was commonplace, including slapping, beatings, ice baths, and other forms of physical assault. Smikle’s behavior towards Shanay and other children was similarly abusive, contributing to a toxic environment that fostered ongoing suffering.

The case also uncovered a disturbing history of neglect and abuse. Shanay was in the care of her grandmother in Top Valley on the night she died. She had run away from her grandmother’s care around 8:30 pm and was seen on CCTV running into a convenience store before being found and returned home. Later that night, at approximately 1 am, Ann Morris collected Shanay and took her back to their home on Beckhampton Road. Several phone calls between Morris and her mother followed, and around 2:49 am, Smikle was seen hailing a taxi to the same address. She stayed only briefly before returning home.

In the early hours of July 31, 2014, Morris sent multiple text messages to family members, including her twin sister Kerry-Ann Morris in Germany. One message read: “sis I’m sorry I’m in shock right now thinking how it could happen but it’s the devils work. Shanay is no longer n so is the rest of my life.” This message prompted Kerry-Ann to contact the police, raising alarm over the situation.

During the trial, the court learned that Morris’s guardianship was characterized by strict and often violent discipline. Witnesses recounted instances where she would beat Shanay with a hairbrush or shoe, force her to eat food she disliked, and even drag her along the floor. The school Shanay attended had expressed concern multiple times, making referrals to social services, but each time Morris provided explanations for the girl’s injuries, dismissing or denying the severity of the abuse.

On the night Shanay died, her injuries and the circumstances surrounding her death were scrutinized. Morris did not testify during the trial, but she claimed to police that Shanay had accidentally fallen downstairs. She maintained that the girl was fine at the time but was unresponsive when she checked on her later. The court heard that investigators uncovered a history of abuse by both Morris and Smikle, which included physical violence and neglect.

Judge Mr. Justice McDuff delivered the sentence, expressing his belief that Morris did not directly cause Shanay’s death but was convinced she had beaten her repeatedly shortly before her demise. The judge described the abuse as “frequent and wicked,” emphasizing that it lasted over two years. He stated, “Your ill treatment of that little girl was frequent and wicked and lasted over the two years. You hit her, you taunted her and you abused her in unimaginable ways.”

The tragic events culminated on the night of July 30-31, 2014, when Shanay died. The court’s verdict and sentencing reflect the severity of the abuse and the devastating impact it had on a vulnerable young girl in Nottingham. Nottingham City Council has announced that a serious case review is currently underway to determine if any measures could have been taken earlier to prevent this tragedy. Paul Burnett, the independent chair of the Nottingham City Safeguarding Board, expressed his condolences, stating, “We extend our sincere sympathies to those who loved and cared for Shanay.”