Mother's Boyfriend Guilty Of Toddler's Death

17 June 2014, 16:50 | Updated: 17 June 2014, 17:14

A man has been found guilty of murdering his girlfriend's two-year-old daughter.

Dean Harris, 19 was convicted of murdering Amina Agboola at their home in Scott Drive, Yaxley.

Harris, who had been in a relationship with Amina's mother for just five months, was left alone with the toddler on November 21, last year.

He lashed out in frustration at the toddler, kicking her so hard that, he later told a prison inmate, she flew six feet across the room.

The force of the blow was so severe that it tore her liver in two.

Harris called an ambulance, claiming Amina had hurt herself falling off the toilet. She was taken to Peterborough City Hospital but died from her injuries.

Harris admitted manslaughter but denied murder, however was convicted following a trial at Cambridge Crown Court.

Sarah Racqueman, 29, denied causing or allowing Amina's death but admitted two other charges of neglect. She was cleared of the more serious charge today.

The trial heard Amina was found to have had a number of other injuries, including an untreated broken wrist.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Hutchinson said: "This was a truly horrendous case. Harris used completely disproportionate violence against such a tiny child. There is never an excuse to hit a child and he should have had no doubt what the potential consequences were of using such force on a two year old. His evil actions have resulted in the death of a young girl who had her whole life ahead of her."

Cambridgeshire County Council have confirmed a serious case review will now be held. In a statement they said, "“A serious case review into this tragic case is currently being undertaken by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board to see if there are any lessons to be learned for agencies from the tragic death of Amina, and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment until this is published.”