A DROITWICH woman and her partner from Birmingham have been found guilty of the death of her young son Alfie Steele.
Alfie was just nine years old when he was found lifeless in the bath of his home in Vashon Drive on February 18, 2021.
During a six-week trial at Coventry Crown Court the jury heard how Alfie, who was repeatedly beaten and dunked in cold baths, had multiple injuries when he was found.
Today, Dirk Howell, 41, of Princip Street, Newtown, was found guilty of murder, Carla Scott 35, also of Vashon Drive was found guilty of manslaughter. Scott was also found guilty of four counts of child cruelty.
Howell had previously pleaded guilty to child cruelty.
West Mercia Police reaction
After the verdict, Det Insp Leighton Harding, the senior investigating officer who led the case, said: “I am pleased that justice has been done today for Alfie and our thoughts remain with his family, who have shown incredible strength and dignity throughout the investigation and trial.
“Alfie suffered the most horrifying physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Scott and Howell.
“It is unimaginable to consider the fear and distress Alfie must have felt during the events that led to his collapse and death in his home.
“The physical violence he suffered at the hands of Scott and Howell, which involved being forced into a cold bath and his head held under water, caused his death.”
The court heard evidence of a culture of excessive punishment of Alfie by Scott and Howell. Alfie was beaten with a belt and a slider until he was black and blue with bruising.
He was often woken in the early hours of the morning and made to stand outside where Scott and Howell threw jugs of cold water over him.
And he was often grounded for excessive periods, made to stand for hours inside and outside his home, had food removed from him, banished to his room, repeatedly forced into a bath of cold water and his head held under.
DI Harding added: “The conduct of Scott and Howell was nothing less than serious physical and emotional abuse, inflicting the most cruel and inhumane treatment of Alfie.
“Alfie should have expected unconditional love and protection of Scott, yet she deliberately neglected his needs, choosing to prioritise her own needs and relationship with Howell, knowing the cruel treatment he was inflicting upon Alfie.
“Scott and Howell did nothing to protect Alfie and inflicted or permitted the torrent of physical and emotional abuse to continue time and time again.
“Both continued to lie to social services and police to protect themselves from their abuse being discovered, and even confronted and threatened neighbours and members of the public who reported concerns over their treatment of Alfie.
“At no stage has either of them shown any remorse or acceptance of responsibility for their actions.
“Today’s verdict will never undo the dreadful abuse Alfie suffered but it will mean those responsible for inflicting such terror and pain will face the consequences of their sickening actions.”
DI Harding concluded by thanking the public for their support and all the witnesses who gave evidence in the trial, which was crucial to securing the convictions.
He also praised the investigation team, the Crown Prosecution Service and prosecution counsel which, he said ‘had worked tirelessly on this case to get justice for Alfie’.
Alfie’s grandad Paul Scott has paid tribute to the ‘charming, funny and inquisitive young boy’.
