KEMAR BROWN AND PHYESIA SHIRLEY FROM THORNTON HEATH SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE AND MURDER

In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Thornton Heath, a young child’s life was brutally taken by those entrusted with his care. Kemar Brown, aged 28, and Phylesia Shirley, aged 24, faced justice after a series of horrifying events that culminated in the death of Shirley’s two-year-old son, Kyrell Matthews. The case was marked by disturbing evidence, including secret recordings that captured the extent of the abuse inflicted upon the defenseless toddler.

Kyrell, who was non-verbal and unable to communicate his suffering, endured weeks of relentless cruelty at the hands of Brown and Shirley. By the time of his death in October 2019, the child had sustained 41 rib fractures and internal injuries, injuries so severe that they ultimately led to his demise. The court heard that the abuse was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of violence and neglect.

During the trial, jurors were shown distressing audio recordings taken from Shirley’s phone, which vividly depicted the suffering of the young boy. The recordings revealed Kyrell crying and screaming in pain, with Brown heard repeatedly hitting him and telling him to “Shut up” and remarking, “You have to ruin the fun.” Another recording captured Shirley herself striking her son, causing him to break down in tears and distress. These recordings painted a harrowing picture of the environment in which Kyrell was subjected to ongoing abuse.

Prosecutor Edward Brown QC emphasized that Shirley prioritized her relationship with Brown over her responsibilities as a mother. Both defendants, who were unemployed at the time, were known to use cannabis and had come under social services’ scrutiny at least once. Despite this, Shirley appeared to reject her maternal instincts, choosing instead to allow her partner to abuse her child, even when she was aware of the violence.

Mr. Brown stated to the jury that Kyrell’s death was the result of repeated abuse, which had become increasingly severe. He explained that the injuries inflicted on the toddler during the final incident were catastrophic, and the abuse was similar to previous episodes but far more damaging this time. The court heard that the injuries sustained in the last assault were so severe that they caused the child's death.

On October 20, 2019, after Kyrell collapsed at home, Shirley made a 111 emergency call. During the call, she was seen sobbing as a clinical adviser instructed her on how to perform resuscitation, telling her to “push down fast” and “go for it.” Both Brown and Shirley declined to testify during the trial. However, the court was told that Brown’s defense claimed the injuries were caused by incorrect advice given during the resuscitation attempt.

It was also revealed that police had been called to the couple’s flat on July 17, 2019, following reports of shouting and screaming. A passer-by had heard a female voice saying, “Stop hitting my face,” which raised concerns about ongoing violence. Earlier, in May 2019, Kyrell had suffered a significant injury to his face after an incident where he was believed to have fallen from a sofa and hit his head on a highchair. The hospital’s investigation at the time deemed Shirley’s explanation plausible, and no charges were filed related to that injury.

In the end, Kemar Brown was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years. Phylesia Shirley was found guilty of manslaughter and received a 13-year prison sentence. The sentences reflect the gravity of the crimes committed and serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of neglect and abuse within a family setting in Thornton Heath.