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Ashley Pemberton & Amber O'Connor

Evil mum who starved disabled Leeds daughter to death could be jailed for even longer

A cruel mum who starved her disabled daughter to death in a filthy bedroom covered in takeaway boxes and used nappies could have her prison sentence increased.

Debbie Leitch, 24, who used to live in Leeds, was found dead at the family home in Blackpool, Lancashire in August 2019.

Elaine Clarke, 49, was jailed for nine years and seven months for causing the death of her daughter.

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But her case has now been referred for review to the Court of Appeal who will look at whether the jail term after pleading guilty to gross negligent manslaughter was too lenient.

A court heard she 'bought herself handbags and shoes' while Debbie - who had Down's Syndrome - wasted away in a dark, faeces-covered room which 'smelled of death'.

Debbie was suffering from a severe skin infection, Norwegian scabies, that had spread to such an extent that police couldn’t identify her sex when they found her body.

Deborah Leitch (Lancashire Constabulary / SWNS.COM)

Clarke initially denied the offence, but was sentenced after admitting gross negligent manslaughter ten days before she was due to stand trial at Preston Crown Court.

But Conservative MP for Blackpool South Scott Benton has asked the Attorney General's Office to review the term under the unduly lenient scheme.

He said he was "sickened" by the "awful abuse" Debbie endured at the hands of "somebody who should have been there to look after and care for her".

He said: "The sentence handed down appears to be far too lenient in this horrendous case and I sincerely hope it is increased on appeal to reflect the awful nature of this crime."

Attorney General Suella Braverman said the "tragic case" had now been referred to the Court of Appeal.

She said: "The sentence imposed has been reviewed with the utmost care by the Solicitor General and he has decided to refer it to the Court of Appeal.

"It is now a matter for the court to decide whether to increase the sentence."

Clarke was described as a "lazy and selfish mother" by Debbie's cousin in court.

The court heard how Debbie was left "to die in her squalid room" and the scene that greeted emergency services was "truly shocking".

A post-mortem examination found the cause of death to be severe emaciation and neglect with extensive and severe scabies skin infection.

In 2016 when Debbie lived in Leeds, she weighed 10st 1lb but she only weighed 3st 10lb at the time of her death, the court was told.

She was dependent on mother-of-four Clarke, who was registered and paid as her carer.

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