A mum who killed her stepson has been visited in jail by the lad’s dad and the couple’s girl aged three.
This week Leila Borrington, 23, received 15 years for the manslaughter of autistic Harvey Borrington, also three, who died after being slapped many times around the head.
She filmed him as he lay dying of brain injuries and delayed dialling 999. A court heard how she messaged Harvey’s dad Jonathan Borrington, 33, saying: “Why does this happen to me?”
Yet relatives have revealed the pair, who got engaged two months before the August 2021 killing, have enjoyed regular visits at Derbyshire’s HMP Foston Hall and still aim to wed.
Harvey’s grandad Keith Borrington said: “He’s been visiting her and they have a daughter together. Leila is her mum. She had an engagement ring and they were really happy and planning their wedding. That’s why none of this makes sense.”
Gardener Keith, of Nottingham, said family members believe Harvey’s death had been accidental, in line with Leila’s evidence before the court case.
He said: “We’re still in shock knowing nothing can ever bring back Harvey but you just have to deal with it.”
In her trial, Borrington, of Jacksdale, Notts, claimed Harvey “fell backwards” off an armchair, causing a fatal brain bleed and she filmed him to show paramedics his condition prior to their arrival but they never saw the footage.
Keith said: “I don’t know how she’ll cope with being inside. It wouldn’t surprise me if she tries to appeal against the length of her sentence.”
At Nottingham crown court she was cleared of murder.
After his death, older injuries were found on Harvey, including a broken arm.
Leila Borrington claimed it happened “while she was trying to stop him falling down the stairs”.
