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Rebecca Shuttleworth Jailed for Murder of Son Keanu Williams With 18-Year Minimum Term

A five-month trial detailed 37 injuries, prompting scrutiny of safeguarding failures in Birmingham.

Overview

  • Sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court, Mr Justice Spencer told Shuttleworth the jury had convicted her of the brutal murder of her two-year-old son.
  • Post-mortem evidence recorded 37 injuries, including a fractured skull and a fist-sized tear to the abdomen, with marks consistent with blows from a stick or rod.
  • A 999 call was made at about 7:40pm on January 9, 2011, and paramedics found Keanu collapsed on a sofa; his death was confirmed later that day.
  • Prosecutors said many injuries may have been inflicted up to 48 hours before the emergency call and alleged the child was often left alone to suffer.
  • Detective Chief Inspector Marsh called it the worst child abuse case she had seen, while safeguarding chair Jane Held condemned systemic failures and noted multiple staff resignations or dismissals.