Monster mom: Woman jailed for at least 18 years for murdering her 2-year-old son

A ‘monster’ mother whose toddler died after she subjected him to months of terrifying violent abuse has been jailed for at least 18 years today.

Two-year-old Keanu Williams, who was known to police and children’s services, was beaten to death by Rebecca Shuttleworth, who was given a life sentence this afternoon.

Keanu was found dead with 37 injuries including bite marks, a fractured skull and a fist-sized tear in his stomach.

Keanu Williams
Rebecca Shuttleworth was convicted of murdering her two-year-old son

Innocence: Keanu Williams, left, beams at the camera in this family photo which gives no hint at the cruelty he would suffer at the hand of his evil mother Rebecca Shuttleworth, right, who was jailed today

He was hit repeatedly with a stick or rod over 48 hours and died of internal bleeding, a post-mortem examination found.

keanu williams

Paramedics discovered his body at the home of Shuttleworth’s then boyfriend, Luke Southerton, 32.

Shuttleworth, who was sentenced by Mr Justice Spencer at Birmingham Crown Court, had also been found guilty of four counts of child cruelty.

The judge, who also passed concurrent sentences for child cruelty totalling four years, told Shuttleworth: ‘The jury have convicted you of the brutal murder of your two-year-old son.

‘He was a defenceless child and it was your duty to protect him. Instead you beat him so severely he died a lingering death from his injuries a day or so later.

‘You have also been convicted of cruelty by failing to summon the medical aid he so badly needed.’

Paying tribute to Keanu, the judge added: ‘He was a delightful little boy described as a real character, a little entertainer who remained cheerful despite everything.

‘Joyful was the word that more than one witness used to describe him – he was a favourite at nursery as well as within the family.

‘His death has left a void in many live which will never be filled.’

Although the judge accepted that Shuttleworth had experienced her share of tragedy in losing her mother and grandmother following a ‘troubling’ upbringing, he said she had shown a cruel and vicious streak towards Keanu.

As Shuttleworth wept in the dock, the judge added: ‘By the jury’s verdict, you alone were responsible for the violence which led to Keanu’s death.

‘One can scarcely imagine the pain and distress Keanu must have suffered from this outburst of violence.

‘He must have been terrified, it must have been clear to you as soon as the violence had taken place that Keanu was badly in need of medical attention.’

Rebecca Shuttleworth subjected Keanu Williams to appalling abuse
Luke Southerton

Callous: Rebecca Shuttleworth, left, was convicted of murdering her son, two, after a long period of torture, while her former partner Luke Southerton, right, was cleared of murder but convicted of cruelty

Shuttleworth had decided not to seek medical help because she knew his injuries, including internal bleeding to his abdomen, could not be explained away, the judge said.

Explaining how he had arrived at the 18-year minimum term, the judge said the murder was aggravated by several factors.

Outlining some of the aggravating features of the case, the judge told Shuttleworth: ‘Keanu was particularly vulnerable because of his age.

‘His was a lingering death over many hours following a brutal assault by his own mother.

‘This was the grossest abuse of a position of trust – you were his mother and it was your most basic and natural duty to protect him.

‘I accept that there was no intention to kill but this was a brutal and sustained attack.’

Shuttleworth’s partner, Luke Southerton, was cleared of murder, manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child, but convicted of one incident of cruelty towards Keanu during which he was bitten, apparently in an attempt to stop him biting other people.

Southerton, 32, was given a nine-month jail term suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Read more: Daily News

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