BREIGHTMET MOTHER KIRSTY SMEDLEY JAILED FOR LETTING SON DIE AT HANDS OF TYLDESLEY MAN DANIEL RIGBY

In December 2012, a tragic case unfolded in Breightmet involving the death of a two-year-old boy named Rio, whose life was cut short due to severe injuries inflicted by his mother’s boyfriend, Daniel Rigby. Kirsty Smedley, aged 24, was found guilty of allowing her son’s death and was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison. Rigby, 23, from Tyldesley, Wigan, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years after being convicted of murder for his brutal assault on Rio.

According to court proceedings, Smedley’s decision to prioritize her relationship with Rigby over her responsibilities as a mother played a central role in the tragedy. The court heard that Rio had sustained a total of 91 injuries across his tiny body, including bruises, abrasions, and internal damage. The fatal injury was a blow to his stomach that caused his liver to split in two, leading to his death. This injury was inflicted after Smedley left her home in Bolton to obtain cash for cannabis, leaving her son in Rigby’s care.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Rio had already suffered two significant injuries the day before his death—bruises to his backside and head—while Rigby was looking after him. The injuries had been inflicted over a span of just three hours, with some caused by stamping on his feet. Medical experts described the injuries as comparable to being repeatedly kicked by a horse or involved in a serious road accident. The court also noted that Rio had been subjected to violent assaults, including headbutts, slaps, and name-calling, during a tumultuous relationship between Smedley and Rigby.

Despite Rigby’s history of violence, including headbutts and kicks, Smedley’s infatuation with him persisted. She had previously been pregnant seven times and was pregnant again at the time of her son’s death, although she did not disclose the identity of the father of her third child until giving evidence in court. Her relationship with Rigby was marked by frequent violence; he had assaulted her multiple times, including punching and slapping her, and had even been arrested and banned from contacting her. Nevertheless, Smedley dropped charges against Rigby after their reconciliation, despite Rio’s unexplained bruises and injuries.

On the night of Rio’s death, Smedley left her home in Breightmet to buy food, leaving her son with Rigby. When she returned, she found Rio with red blotches and feeling unwell but chose to ignore these signs. The following day, she left Rio again in Rigby’s care, despite concerns about his injuries. Rigby sent her text messages claiming Rio had fallen off a couch and been hit with a toy sword, but when she returned, she found her son with a bruise on his bottom. She then left him with Rigby once more, only to be called back by a message claiming Rio had fallen down the stairs.

When she arrived home, Rio was unresponsive, with his eyes rolled back, prompting her to call emergency services. He was rushed to the Royal Bolton Hospital but tragically died from a ruptured liver caused by punches, kicks, and stamping. An autopsy revealed 91 separate injuries, including numerous bruises and abrasions across his head, face, abdomen, arms, legs, and feet. The severity of his injuries shocked the medical team and the court.

During the trial, prosecutor Simon Phillips QC emphasized that Smedley’s infatuation with Rigby led her to neglect her son’s safety. He stated, “Kirsty was infatuated or desperate to make her relationship with Rigby work. What she was fearful of wasn’t what might happen to her child but what might happen to her if she didn’t please him. Rio was very much second in her thoughts. He was not her priority.”

Judge Mr. Justice MacKay condemned Smedley’s irresponsible attitude towards her maternal duties, highlighting her failure to protect Rio from harm. He pointed out that she had shown no remorse for her son’s death, only distress when her emergency call was played in court. The judge also noted her troubled background, including a traumatic assault at age 15, low IQ, and low self-esteem, which contributed to her vulnerability and poor decision-making.

Smedley, who was heavily pregnant with her third child at the time, did not disclose the father’s identity until her testimony. She later became pregnant again while in custody but terminated the pregnancy two weeks ago. She is now contemplating sterilization. Her two surviving children are now in foster care, and she has shown little effort to contact them.

Following sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Phil Reade expressed his outrage, stating, “This is a shocking case in which an innocent and defenceless little boy has suffered appalling injuries at the hands of someone who had been trusted to look after him. Although Daniel and Kirsty have now both been jailed, this will do little to ease the suffering of Rio’s family, who have lost their beloved son under tragic circumstances.”