A mother and her partner have been convicted of killing of her nine-year-old son. Alfie Steele was subjected to physical abuse and held down in a bathtub as a form of punishment at his residence in Droitwich, Worcestershire, in February 2021, leading to his tragic death.
Carla Scott and her fiancé, Dirk Howell, repeatedly assaulted the young boy and frequently subjected him to cold baths as part of a cruel and “sinister” disciplinary routine.
Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC argued that both defendants believed it was acceptable to strike Alfie with “belts or a slider, such as a heavy-duty flip flop, and employ other more sinister methods of punishment.”
Additionally, Michelle Heeley stated that Alfie had sustained 50 injuries all over his body, with only a few likely to be attributed to typical childhood accidents.
The court was informed that a video captured by a neighbour months prior to Alfie’s death depicted the schoolboy screaming and pleading to be allowed into his house, highlighting the distressing circumstances he endured.
Scott, 35, stated during her trial that she never “belted” Alfie, while Howell, 41, asserted that he did not physically harm the schoolboy or engage in any cover-up activities. Instead, he claimed to have performed CPR in an attempt to revive the alleged victim.
Howell, who hails from Birmingham, pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, manslaughter, and causing or allowing the death of Alfie.
Scott, residing in Droitwich, also denied charges of murder, manslaughter, causing or allowing the death of Alfie, and child cruelty offences.
During the couple’s murder trial at Coventry Crown Court, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) released police bodycam footage and audio from a 999 call.
More to follow…
