November 2013 Child killer to serve at least 20 years A child killer who subjected a little girl to a brutal attack has been jailed for life – and told he must serve at least 20 years. Delroy Catwell, aged 31, was meant to be looking after his partner’s daughter Lylah Aaron, aged three, at her home in Beck Road, Shiregreen, Sheffield – but instead subjected her to a horrific beating using his fists and feet while her mum was at work. She suffered fatal brain damage and died that day at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Speaking after Catwell was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday, Keith Chibanda, Lylah’s uncle, said: “Justice for our baby girl has been done. “We will continue to grieve for little Lylah in private and we will miss her dearly. “She will never be forgotten by her family and friends. Our love for her will always remain.” Judge Nicola Davies said Catwell was left in charge of Lylah – an ‘engaging, outgoing, chatty child’ who was seen running into nursery the day before her death ‘without a care in the word’. Her mother Precious Chibanda, who was training to be a nurse, was working a shift at Derby Hospital on the day of the attack. Judge Davies said she was trying to build a better life for herself and Lylah. Sentencing Catwell, she told him: “It was her trust in you which permitted Precious to leave her much-loved and only daughter in your care. It is difficult to conceive of a greater abuse of trust than that which you perpetrated in killing this vulnerable and defenceless girl.” The court heard the attack must have happened on Friday, February 8, at about noon. However, when Miss Chibanda rang Catwell, a DJ who ran his own business selling motor accessories, at 2.30pm, he said Lylah was unwell and had not wanted to go to nursery, where she was due to attend a ‘pyjama day’. When Miss Chibanda returned from work she found Lylah asleep in bed, but another check revealed she was unconscious and Miss Chibanda dialled 999. Lylah had suffered fatal brain damage, broken ribs and bruising to her head and body. Judge Davies said the bruising was consistent with impacts from ‘fists, feet, a blunt object or by the propelling of Lylah’s head against an object’. Catwell was told he will only be released when he is no longer a danger to the public. DJ guilty of murdering girlfriend’s daughter he was meant to be babysitting A DJ has been found guilty of murdering his girlfriend’s “bright and chatty” three-year-old daughter as he was supposed to be looking after her. Delroy Catwell was alone with Lylah Aaron at their home in Sheffield when he subjected her to what police called a “forceful and sustained attack”. During a two-week trial, the jury of five women and seven men heard how Catwell, Lylah and Precious Chibanda shared a house in the Shiregreen area of Sheffield. On February 8, Catwell was left in charge of Lylah as her mother went to work at Derby Royal Infirmary as a trainee nurse. The court heard how her mother returned later to find her daughter in bed and only later realised she was unconscious. She had suffered serious head injuries and died later in hospital. Experts said Lylah suffered a brain injury consistent with being hit by a hard object. The post-mortem examination revealed her injuries were caused by “repeated impacts to her face and skull”. It also found bruises on her body consistent with being punched, kicked and slapped, and she had three broken ribs. The examination showed she had been attacked before, the jury was told. Forensic examination of a bedroom in the house suggested damage to a wall had been caused by someone smashing Lylah’s head against it. The jury heard how Catwell had complained about being sidelined as his girlfriend gave more attention to her daughter. He described Lylah as demanding and clingy with her mother, taking time away from his relationship with his partner. Catwell, 31, denied murdering Lylah but was found guilty by a jury at Sheffield Crown Court after a day of deliberations. When Catwell gave evidence he tried to blame Ms Chibanda for attacking her daughter. He showed no emotion as the jury foreman read out the verdict but Lylah’s mother, Precious Chibanda, was overcome in the public gallery and had to be consoled by friends and relatives. The judge, Mrs Justice Nicola Davies, remanded Catwell in custody and told him she will not sentence him until tomorrow afternoon. Bryan Cox QC, prosecuting, told her that Catwell has a previous conviction for sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl, dating back to 2005. He said this involved sucking the toes of a girl he met in his local area and had invited back to his house. Mr Cox said this resulted in a 12 month long community rehabilitation order. The judge heard pre-sentence submissions from both barristers who agreed that he will received a life sentence with a minimum term to be fixed by the judge. Both lawyers also agreed the judge’s starting point for fixing the minimum term was 15 years but she could increase this by taking into account aggravating factors. Mr Cox said these factors should include the vulnerability of the victim, the abuse of a position of trust, the previous violence towards Lylah, the fact he tried to blame his partner for the murder and his previous conviction. Catwell, who stood in the dock for the verdict wearing a blue t-shirt, was led away by two security officers. Catwell will be sentenced tomorrow. Police said Lylah was “outgoing and bubbly” and should have been attending a pyjama event at her nursery on the day she died. Detective Superintendent Dave Barraclough, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a particularly harrowing case for all concerned. “Lylah was a happy, innocent girl who was much loved by her family. Only a day before she was seen running and skipping around, like any other child of her age. “It’s horrific that she was viciously murdered by Catwell, a man who should have been caring for her. “I would like to extend our sympathies to Lylah’s family at this difficult time.” The officer added: “This murder was a forceful and sustained attack on a defenceless three-year-old girl.”