A grandmother has been sentenced to life in prison for subjecting her 12-year-old grandson to months of horrific abuse, in a case that has sent shockwaves across the UK.
The woman, whose identity has been withheld to protect the victim, was found guilty of multiple counts of child cruelty, including physical and psychological torture. The court heard harrowing details of the boy's suffering, which included being beaten, starved, and locked in a dark room for extended periods.
Details of the Abuse
The young victim endured unimaginable pain at the hands of his own grandmother. Witnesses described how he was:
- Beaten with household objects
- Denied food for days at a time
- Forced to sleep on a cold floor
- Subjected to constant verbal abuse
The Investigation
The abuse came to light when teachers noticed the boy's deteriorating condition and reported their concerns to social services. Police described it as one of the worst cases of child abuse they had ever encountered.
Detective Inspector Sarah Thompson, who led the investigation, stated: "This was a calculated campaign of terror against a vulnerable child. The level of cruelty displayed was truly shocking."
Sentencing
Judge Michael Harrison handed down the life sentence, calling the grandmother's actions "pure evil". He added: "No child should ever have to endure what this boy went through. The psychological scars will likely last a lifetime."
The boy is now in foster care and receiving specialist support to help him recover from his ordeal.
