Grandparents who murdered toddler after campaign of horrific abuse will not have their jail sentences increased
Grandparents who murdered toddler after campaign of horrific abuse will not have their jail sentences increased
A pair of grandparents convicted of killing their two-year-old grandson after enduring severe abuse were denied a sentence increase by the Court of Appeal. The case centered on Michael Ives, 48, and his wife Kerry Ives, 47, who were handed life sentences in 2022 for the murder of Ethan Ives-Griffiths.
The toddler, who was found dead in his grandparents’ home in Flintshire, North Wales, in August 2021, had been suffering from extreme dehydration and severe malnutrition. He displayed noticeable bruises and injuries, and his collapse was attributed to a devastating head trauma. A detailed post-mortem examination revealed Ethan weighed just 10 kilograms and bore over 40 injuries across his body, alongside catastrophic brain damage.
“On behalf of the Solicitor General, Mr Jones contends that for Michael and Kerry the minimum terms of 23 years, and 17 years, respectively, were unduly lenient.” – Lord Justice Popplewell
Bill Emlyn Jones KC, representing the Solicitor General, argued on Thursday that the sentences were too light, emphasizing the brutality of the offense. However, the Court of Appeal, comprising Lord Justice Popplewell, Mr Justice Sweeting, and Judge Penelope Moreland, ruled that the penalties were justified.
Lord Justice Popplewell highlighted Ethan’s resilience and bravery, noting that his grandparents had a history of mistreatment. He stated that the sentencing judge had considered the aggravating factors of the crime, including the repeated abuse, and deemed the terms appropriate. The judge also observed that the sentencing was based on a clear understanding of the overall circumstances.
CCTV footage played a key role in the trial, showing Michael Ives lifting his grandson by the arm and delivering a punch before securing him in a car seat. Additional clips depicted Ethan walking with an unsteady gait in the garden, potentially indicating early signs of brain injuries from prior assaults. The grandparent accused of inflicting the abuse also made the child stand with his hands on his head as a form of humiliation.
Ethan’s mother, Shannon Ives, 28, of Rhes-y-Cae, near Holywell, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing or allowing his death and for child cruelty. Her defense, led by Gordon Cole KC, contested the length of her sentence, claiming the judge overlooked her personal circumstances. The Court of Appeal, however, found the arguments insufficient to justify altering the verdict.
The boy was last seen with his family at Broughton Retail Park on August 13, 2021, just days before his tragic demise. The incident underscored the ongoing neglect and violence he had endured, with his mother initially misrepresenting his condition to social workers.
