Peterborough: Review After Tyler Death

15 May 2012, 12:36 | Updated: 15 May 2012, 13:11

The Head of Peterborough City Council's Children's Services department says there are "lessons to be learned" following the death of a child.

34 year old Elvis Lee from Paston was today (Tuesday) ordered to serve life in prison at Cambridge Crown Court [pictured - above right] after being found guilty of the murder of his stepson.

Five year old Tyler Whelan was attacked in his home before he died in hospital in March last year.

Lee will serve at least 17 and a half years in jail.

Tyler's mother, 27 year old Stephanie Whelan, of Paston but originally from Wigan, was yesterday (Monday) found guilty of allowing his death and will be sentenced in June.

A Serious Case Review into Tyler's death has since been published by the Peterborough Safeguarding Children Board.

It found that key opportunities to protect Tyler were missed by authorities tasked with his care, and there were concerns about his safety at home before he died.

It acknowledged that previous incidents in which the boy was hurt had been "seen in isolation'' with "minimal attempts to link concerning patterns of injuries''.

In a statement, Malcolm Newsam, executive director of children's services at Peterborough City Council, said there were "lessons to be learned'' following Tyler's death.

Mr Newsam said: "We appreciate that our actions since last summer cannot change what has happened in the past, but we can confirm that our services are now much more effective at protecting vulnerable children.''

The report concluded that it was impossible to say that, had there been greater intervention, the tragedy would have been prevented.

Click here to visit the Peterborough Safeguarding Children Board website.