BEN BUTLER'S BRUTAL MURDER OF SIX-YEAR-OLD ELLIE IN SUTTON: A TRAGIC TALE OF ABUSE AND FAILURE

In June 2016, a devastating case concluded with the conviction of Ben Butler, a 36-year-old man from Sutton, for the murder of his six-year-old daughter, Ellie. The tragic events unfolded in October 2013 within the family home in Sutton, located in south-west London, where Ellie suffered fatal head injuries that were described by prosecutors as akin to those sustained in a high-speed car crash.

Ben Butler was sentenced to serve a minimum of 23 years behind bars for his role in Ellie’s death. The court heard that Butler inflicted catastrophic head injuries upon Ellie while he was responsible for her care. The injuries were so severe that they ultimately led to her death. In addition to the murder charge, Butler was also found guilty of child cruelty related to a shoulder injury Ellie had sustained just weeks before her death. His partner and Ellie’s mother, Jennie Gray, was convicted of child cruelty as well, having admitted to perverting the course of justice and covering up her daughter’s death. Gray received a sentence of 42 months in prison.

During the trial at the Old Bailey, Butler reacted vocally to the verdicts, shouting, “I’ll fight for the rest of my life – unbelievable,” and expressing his desire to be sentenced immediately so he could appeal the decision. He insisted on his innocence, claiming, “My daughter was jumping in the house. I’m 100% not guilty,” despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Gray, meanwhile, remarked sarcastically, “Big mistake. Spend another 10 years proving you wrong.”

Historical context revealed that Butler had previously been convicted in 2009 for shaking Ellie as a baby, a conviction that was later quashed on appeal. The couple had successfully petitioned the High Court in 2012 to have Ellie returned to their care, despite objections from police, social services, and Ellie’s maternal grandfather, Neal Gray. Mrs Justice Hogg, who presided over the case, sided with Butler, dismissing concerns raised by authorities and family members. Neal Gray, who had cared for Ellie since she was a newborn, had warned the judge that she would have “blood on your hands” if she ordered Ellie’s return. The court’s decision was based on a ruling that went beyond simply overturning Butler’s previous conviction, effectively exonerating him and suggesting that his past injuries were accidental.

Following Ellie’s return to her parents’ care in November 2012, Sutton Children’s Services felt powerless to intervene further, as the High Court’s ruling was interpreted as exonerating Butler. A serious case review later concluded that social services had been told to “back off,” despite their concerns about Ellie’s safety. The review highlighted that the Family Court’s decision had effectively cleared Butler of wrongdoing, which influenced subsequent actions by social workers and authorities.

Judge Mr Justice Wilkie, in sentencing Butler, described him as a “self-absorbed, ill-tempered, violent and domineering man,” who viewed his children and partner as trophies, fitting into a “fantasy of family life” where he was the patriarch. Jurors heard that Butler had lost his temper violently on multiple occasions, culminating in the fatal assault on Ellie. The evidence showed that Butler battered Ellie to death during a volcanic outburst of rage. Instead of calling emergency services immediately, he delayed for two hours, calling Jennie Gray back from her work in the City of London. Together, they devised an elaborate cover-up, staging Ellie’s death as an accidental fall and attempting to destroy evidence, including contaminated clothing and Gray’s torn diary, which detailed the toxic atmosphere in their household.

Jurors also learned that the couple involved Ellie’s younger sibling in their deception, sending the child into a room under the pretense of fetching Ellie for cake, only for the child to discover Ellie unresponsive. The 999 call captured the younger sibling saying Ellie “won’t wake up.” Mr Justice Wilkie criticized Gray for her naivety and participation in the cover-up, stating she played her part in the “grotesque charade” and subjected Ellie to “pointless CPR” despite knowing she had been dead for hours.

Ellie’s grandmother, Linda Gray, passed away on April 19, the first day of the murder trial, but her death was kept from Jennie Gray until sentencing at her father’s request. In a joint statement, Ellie’s grandparents expressed their grief, describing Ellie as a “very beautiful, bubbly and intelligent little girl” who brought immense joy to their family. They lamented that her life was cut short by “wicked” individuals, without directly mentioning Butler or Gray.

The court heard harrowing testimony about a family life dominated by violence, manipulation, and anger. Butler’s volatile temper often exploded, and he had a history of abusive behavior, including sending hundreds of threatening and obscene texts to Gray, often directed at Ellie and her younger sibling. Evidence included footage of Butler swearing aggressively during a phone call in the family kitchen in front of Ellie. Jurors learned that Butler had previously been convicted of assaulting Ellie as a seven-week-old infant, a conviction later overturned in 2010 after new scientific evidence emerged.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution painted a picture of a toxic and dysfunctional household, with Butler’s violent tendencies and Gray’s complicity culminating in Ellie’s tragic death. The case underscored the failures of social services and judicial decisions that allowed Ellie to be returned to her parents’ care despite clear warnings of danger. The local authority, Sutton Borough, had fought to prevent Ellie’s return, citing concerns about Butler’s dangerousness, but ultimately, the High Court’s ruling in 2012 reversed those concerns.

Neal Gray, Ellie’s grandfather, expressed his heartbreak, stating, “Today’s verdict is fantastic news … the tragedy is that none of this will bring our beloved granddaughter Ellie back to us.” Detective Inspector Dave Reid, leading the investigation, emphasized that Butler and Gray had orchestrated a series of lies to conceal the truth, lying throughout the investigation and attempting to shift blame onto others. He confirmed that evidence proved Butler was responsible for Ellie’s death, with pathologists indicating she was likely thrown or swung into a wall, suffering multiple skull fractures and internal bleeding.

Butler, who had a history of violence and was unemployed at the time of Ellie’s death, denied responsibility throughout the trial. He claimed to have found Ellie unconscious in her bedroom and went into shock, refusing to call emergency services out of fear of being blamed due to his past conviction. The relationship between Butler and Gray was described as “toxic,” marked by verbal and physical abuse, with texts revealing extreme hostility and hatred. Despite Gray’s denials of domestic violence, diary entries and messages indicated a pattern of abuse and desperation.

In conclusion, the case of Ben Butler and Ellie’s tragic death highlights systemic failures, family dysfunction, and the devastating consequences of neglect and violence. The convictions serve as a grim reminder of the importance of vigilant child protection and the devastating impact of unchecked abuse within families.