"A couple have been handed life sentences for the murder of their two-year-old grandson following a trial that exposed weeks of horrific abuse. Michael Ives, 48, and his wife Kerry, 46, subjected toddler Ethan Ives-Griffiths to sustained physical and emotional cruelty at their home in Flintshire, North Wales. Ethan was found to be dangerously dehydrated and severely underweight, bearing visible marks and bruises, when he collapsed with a catastrophic head injury in August 2021."
"Ethan Ives-Griffiths was a two-year-old with an independent spirit. His mother and his grandparents hit him, but when they did, he was defiant and even laughed, the judge said. Even though he was only a toddler, he was a brave and resilient boy with a strong character. He already had qualities which in an adult could make for greatness, but the people hitting him didn't like the little boy standing up for himself. They decided to break him."
"They decided to break him. Ethan's mother, Shannon Ives, 28, of Rhes-y-Cae, near Holywell, who had been staying with her son at her parents' home, was found guilty of causing or allowing his death and of child cruelty. Michael Ives will serve at least 23 years' imprisonment before he can apply for parole (North Wales Police/PA Wire) She has been sentenced to 12 years in prison."
Michael and Kerry Ives inflicted sustained physical and emotional cruelty on two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths at their Flintshire home. Ethan collapsed in August 2021 severely dehydrated, underweight, with visible marks and a catastrophic head injury. A jury convicted both grandparents of murder and child cruelty; Michael received a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years and Kerry a minimum of 17 years. Ethan's mother, Shannon Ives, was found guilty of causing or allowing his death and of child cruelty and was sentenced to 12 years. The judge described Ethan as brave, defiant, and broken by his abusers.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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