A mum and her sadistic boyfriend who killed her nine-year-old son in a "sinister" campaign of violence have been jailed.
Alfie Steele died on February 18, 2021 after being found with 50 injuries all over his body. He had been hit with a leather belt and "dunked" in the bath at his home in Droitwich, Worcestershire.
Today, his mum, Carla Scott, was jailed for 27 years after being found guilty of manslaughter and child cruelty. Her fiancé, career criminal Dirk Howell, was convicted of murder, and was jailed for 32 years.
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Scott, 35, and Howell, 41, subjected the boy to repeated assaults and would often force him into cold baths as part of a cruel and "sinister" regime of correction, even waking him at 3am, 'marching him outside' and having water thrown at him.
Scott remained composed in the dock as Howell was sentenced for killing Alfie. Howell slumped forward in the dock, with his right hand cupping his chin, as Mr Justice Wall told him: "I am sure that you got pleasure from inflicting pain and discomfort.
"In my judgment some of your actions can properly be described as sadistic. The risks of killing him by your conduct were real and obvious."
Sentencing Scott, Mr Justice Wall ordered her to serve half of a six-year sentence for cruelty to Alfie committed over an 18-month period. He imposed a further 21-year sentence, of which Scott must serve at least two-thirds in custody, for manslaughter.
Scott appeared to become emotional in the dock as she was told the overall effect of the sentence was that she would serve at least 17 years in prison.
The judge told her she had killed Alfie "in circumstances which carried a high risk of causing his death or causing him really serious injury" and then made determined attempts to mislead the police "in order that they should think" Howell was not involved.
Passing sentence on the pair at Coventry Crown Court on Thursday, June 15, Mr Justice Wall told them: "You have both refused to tell the truth about the day of Alfie's death, preferring to lie to pretend that it was no more than a tragic accident and to cover up for one another.
"What is clear is that Alfie did not have the quiet death you tried to portray: a death in which he had an epileptic fit and gently fell asleep in the bath. His death was violent and brutal."
Shouts were heard from the public gallery, branding Scott an 'evil swine' as she was led away to begin her long jail term, reports the Mirror.
During sentencing today, prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC read personal statements from Alfie's grandad Paul Scott who said he had a smile that would melt your heart.
He said: "Our precious grandson Alfie was a charming, funny and inquisitive young boy whose kindness and cheeky smile was enough to melt your heart. He had a unique personality that made him a treasure to be around, whether it was his comical phrases or his quirky dance moves, he knew how to make you laugh and cry joyous tears.
“It fills us with immense sadness that we will never be able to see that same cheeky smile again. Losing Alfie has left a massive void in our lives, to think that we will never be able to hug him and watch him grow into an accomplished young man causes much anguish.
“We miss him so much."
Rachel Brand KC, in mitigation for Scott, told the court: "Clearly she was in thrall to her co-defendant, Mr Howell, under his influence. Clearly, he instigated these offences and took the leading role."
She said Scott 'made efforts to temper her conduct' and that 'there was a different atmosphere in the house when Mr Howell wasn't present'.
Ms Brand said Scott was a 'loving mother' who never beat Alfie before meeting Howell.
Alisdair Williamson, for Howell, states: "There is no evidence he derived pleasure, rather than being a loss of control."
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