Pictured here is Harvey Borrington - a three-year-old autistic little boy who was killed by his stepmother. Nottinghamshire Police released the touching image of him playing in the sand with his red bucket as Leila Borrington, his stepmum, was cleared of his murder - but found guilty of his manslaughter.
Borrington wiped away tears as she was convicted of manslaughter. A jury at Nottingham Crown Court deliberated for more than 24 hours over several days before returning their verdicts this afternoon (Tuesday, February 28).
Leila Borrington faced more charges. She was found guilty of inflicting GBH to Harvey - an arm fracture - cleared on three charges of assault, causing bodily harm, and found guilty of one charge of assault, causing bodily harm - where she squeezed his cheeks. Sentencing was adjourned until March 16.
Borrington, 23, of Main Road, Jacksdale, denied any wrongdoing and said Harvey “fell backwards” off a leather armchair at home, causing a fatal brain bleed.
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The youngster spent most weekends with Borrington. He died in hospital on August 9 after paramedics were called and found him “unconscious”, “unresponsive” and with “abnormal body posture”.
Jonas Hankin KC, opening the prosecution’s case last November, had said Borrington was caring alone for the youngster, while Harvey’s father was at work, when the deadly injury was likely inflicted at the couple’s home in Main Road, Jacksdale.
Harvey was taken to King’s Mill Hospital in Sutton-In-Ashfield and transferred to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre, where he died. Describing the findings of a post-mortem examination, Mr Hankin said: “He had suffered trauma to the head.
“That had caused damage to the brain itself and bleeding overlying the brain which, together, squashed and damaged the brain, ultimately causing his death.” Several medical experts and doctors, instructed by the prosecution, provided a “majority view” as to how the boy died, Mr Hankin said.
Detective Inspector Simon Harrison, of Nottinghamshire Police, said after the verdicts: “This was a tragic incident that shocked the local community. Harvey was a much-loved little boy who was cherished by his parents and his wider family.
“As a police officer I am pleased with the decision of the jury in this case, but I acutely aware that it is of no consolation to those left behind. This has been a very lengthy and difficult investigation and I would like to thank everyone involved in getting us to this point.”
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