SEAN SADLER FROM RUBERY SENTENCED FOR MURDER OF TODDLER LILLY HANRAHAN IN BIRMINGHAM
| Red Rose Database
Rubery Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the local community and brought justice after a harrowing three-year investigation, Sean Sadler, a resident of Coriander Close in Rubery, was convicted of the brutal murder of 21-month-old Lilly Hanrahan. The tragic events unfolded in Birmingham, where Sadler was found guilty of both her murder and the wounding she sustained prior to her death.
Sadler’s criminal conviction was announced on March 24 at Birmingham Crown Court, bringing an end to a lengthy legal process that had kept Lilly’s family waiting for justice. The court heard how Sadler, who had been entrusted with the care of the young girl, inflicted injuries that proved fatal. The sentence handed down was life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 20 years before he could be considered for parole.
The case drew widespread attention due to the horrific nature of Lilly’s injuries and the circumstances leading up to her death. Lilly, a bright and lively toddler, was rushed to hospital in November 2017 after suffering a catastrophic head injury and six fractured ribs. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, her injuries were deemed unsurvivable, and her life support was withdrawn three days later. The injuries were later confirmed to be the result of violent abuse.
Lesley Hanrahan, Lilly’s grandmother, had cared for her granddaughter for the first four months of her life, from her birth in February 2016 until more suitable arrangements could be made. Lesley described Lilly as a joyful child who loved to dance, often raising her arm in the air when she heard music. She expressed heartbreak over the loss, saying, “I’ve got another grandchild and when you look at her, you’d think it was Lilly, and it kills me.”
In the spring of 2017, the girl’s legal guardian began a relationship with Sadler, who became a regular visitor to their home in Birmingham. Sadler often stayed overnight, and it was during this period that concerns about Lilly’s wellbeing started to surface. The guardian noticed bruises on Lilly and documented them from September 2017, even alerting her nursery to monitor her condition.
On the afternoon of Sunday, November 19, 2017, Sadler was left alone with Lilly while her guardian went out. Sadler claimed that Lilly had fallen asleep on the settee, but later, when he tried to wake her, she did not respond. He then called emergency services. Upon arrival at the hospital, medical staff discovered extensive bruising, including on her scalp beneath her hair. Post-mortem examinations revealed a fatal head injury and six broken ribs, injuries consistent with violent shaking and being thrown against a soft surface such as an armrest.
Further investigations uncovered additional injuries, including three fractured vertebrae in her spine and bleeding in her lungs, which had occurred approximately two to three weeks prior to her death. Sadler was subsequently arrested and charged with Lilly’s murder and the wounding she had sustained.
During the trial at Birmingham Crown Court, expert witnesses testified about the numerous injuries found on Lilly’s small body. The jury was shown evidence of 40 injuries in total, with 20 located on her head and neck, and the remaining on her limbs and torso. The injuries were consistent with excessive gripping, slapping, or punching, indicating a pattern of severe abuse.
Sadler’s sentencing is scheduled for Friday, March 26, where he will face the consequences of his actions for the tragic death of Lilly Hanrahan in Birmingham.
Sadler’s criminal conviction was announced on March 24 at Birmingham Crown Court, bringing an end to a lengthy legal process that had kept Lilly’s family waiting for justice. The court heard how Sadler, who had been entrusted with the care of the young girl, inflicted injuries that proved fatal. The sentence handed down was life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 20 years before he could be considered for parole.
The case drew widespread attention due to the horrific nature of Lilly’s injuries and the circumstances leading up to her death. Lilly, a bright and lively toddler, was rushed to hospital in November 2017 after suffering a catastrophic head injury and six fractured ribs. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, her injuries were deemed unsurvivable, and her life support was withdrawn three days later. The injuries were later confirmed to be the result of violent abuse.
Lesley Hanrahan, Lilly’s grandmother, had cared for her granddaughter for the first four months of her life, from her birth in February 2016 until more suitable arrangements could be made. Lesley described Lilly as a joyful child who loved to dance, often raising her arm in the air when she heard music. She expressed heartbreak over the loss, saying, “I’ve got another grandchild and when you look at her, you’d think it was Lilly, and it kills me.”
In the spring of 2017, the girl’s legal guardian began a relationship with Sadler, who became a regular visitor to their home in Birmingham. Sadler often stayed overnight, and it was during this period that concerns about Lilly’s wellbeing started to surface. The guardian noticed bruises on Lilly and documented them from September 2017, even alerting her nursery to monitor her condition.
On the afternoon of Sunday, November 19, 2017, Sadler was left alone with Lilly while her guardian went out. Sadler claimed that Lilly had fallen asleep on the settee, but later, when he tried to wake her, she did not respond. He then called emergency services. Upon arrival at the hospital, medical staff discovered extensive bruising, including on her scalp beneath her hair. Post-mortem examinations revealed a fatal head injury and six broken ribs, injuries consistent with violent shaking and being thrown against a soft surface such as an armrest.
Further investigations uncovered additional injuries, including three fractured vertebrae in her spine and bleeding in her lungs, which had occurred approximately two to three weeks prior to her death. Sadler was subsequently arrested and charged with Lilly’s murder and the wounding she had sustained.
During the trial at Birmingham Crown Court, expert witnesses testified about the numerous injuries found on Lilly’s small body. The jury was shown evidence of 40 injuries in total, with 20 located on her head and neck, and the remaining on her limbs and torso. The injuries were consistent with excessive gripping, slapping, or punching, indicating a pattern of severe abuse.
Sadler’s sentencing is scheduled for Friday, March 26, where he will face the consequences of his actions for the tragic death of Lilly Hanrahan in Birmingham.