DAVID DEARLOVE SENTENCED FOR MURDER OF TODDLER IN STOCKTON AND GREAT YARMOUTH AFTER NEARLY 50 YEARS

In a case that spanned nearly five decades, David Dearlove, aged 71, has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his stepson, Paul Booth, in Stockton. The tragic events unfolded in 1968, but it was only recently that justice was served, following a series of revelations that reignited the investigation.

According to court proceedings, Dearlove was found guilty of violently assaulting 19-month-old Paul Booth by swinging him by the ankles and smashing his head against a fireplace. The assault was so severe that it resulted in fatal injuries, which Dearlove then concealed for years. The jury determined that Dearlove had lied about the circumstances of Paul’s death for decades, maintaining a false narrative that he had simply put the child to bed and was washing when he heard a scream.

The case was brought back into the spotlight after a Facebook photograph surfaced, showing Dearlove holding Paul on his knee. The image was posted by Dearlove’s son, David Jr., and it prompted Paul’s older brother, Peter, to revisit the events of that night. Peter, who was only three years old at the time, had witnessed the assault but had not initially realized the gravity of what he saw. He had hurried upstairs after witnessing his brother being hurt and never saw Paul alive again. For years, Peter and his sister, Stephanie Marron, kept silent about the incident, and their mother, Carol Booth, who separated from Dearlove in 1970 and passed away in 1991, discouraged them from discussing Paul’s death.

It was only in 2015, after seeing the Facebook photo, that Peter contacted the police to report his suspicions. This led to a renewed investigation into the case, which had previously been marked by an open verdict at Paul’s inquest. The police examined the evidence and testimonies, including claims from Peter and Stephanie that Dearlove had physically abused them as well. Despite initial investigations, no action was taken at the time, and the case remained unresolved for decades.

During the trial, Dearlove, now retired and living in Great Yarmouth, maintained that he had forgotten the details of that night. He insisted that the injuries on Paul were the result of accidents, such as a moped falling on him or slipping onto a hot water pipe in his bedroom. However, medical experts testified that the extent of Paul’s injuries, which included over 20 bruises and burns, was inconsistent with accidental causes and indicated physical abuse.

The court heard that Paul’s body bore numerous bruises and injuries, which experts confirmed were not consistent with falls or accidents. The prosecution argued that the injuries were inflicted through violence, and the evidence pointed to a pattern of child cruelty. Despite Dearlove’s claims of accidental injuries, the jury found him guilty of murder and three counts of child cruelty involving Paul and his siblings.

Sentencing was delivered by Mr. Justice Males, who described Dearlove as a man who, despite his youth and immaturity at the time, had committed acts of cruelty that devastated the lives of three young children. The judge emphasized the cruelty involved and the lasting impact on the victims’ family.

Paul Booth’s family expressed their sorrow and frustration, noting that Paul would have celebrated his 50th birthday this year. Instead, he rests in an unmarked grave, the location of which remains unknown. In a heartfelt statement outside the court, they reflected on the life Paul might have had—possibly married with children—and condemned Dearlove’s actions as both physically and emotionally destructive. They expressed relief that justice had finally been achieved after nearly 47 years, and that Dearlove was now behind bars.

Detective Inspector Mark Dimelow commented on the case, acknowledging the difficulties posed by its historical nature. He praised the bravery of witnesses and family members who provided emotional testimonies, emphasizing the importance of reporting such incidents regardless of the passage of time. The case serves as a stark reminder of the enduring impact of childhood abuse and the importance of seeking justice, even decades later.