DAD MURDERED SON, 2, AFTER WINNING SOLE CUSTODY
A dad murdered his two-year-old son within months of being granted sole custody of him.Daniel Hardcastle, 31, from Blackpool, subjected toddler Damion Russell to a "horrifically violent" attack.
The toddler was found unresponsive at Central Drive, Blackpool, on 19 August last year and died in hospital.
Hardcastle was convicted by a jury at Preston Crown Court and must serve at least 22 years in prison Sentencing Hardcastle to life imprisonment, judge Mrs Justice Hill said Damion was "covered in injuries top to toe and front to back.” “The pathologist identified some 80 separate injuries at post mortem,” she said.
During his trial Hardcastle said the toddler had fallen and banged his head on a coffee table.
But doctors found extensive injuries on Damion, including an adult bite mark, fractured ribs, bruising across his body, and a tear inside his lip as if a drinking bottle had been forced into his mouth.
The court heard Hardcastle either forcefully shook Damion and banged his head, or caused Damion’s head to come into contact with a solid object.
Hardcastle, who was granted sole custody of Damion three months before his death, denied the charges, stating his son had injured himself when he ran into the coffee table and had a fit.
Blackpool Council said it will complete a local child safeguarding practice review.
