BABYSITTER LEE MUGLISTON FROM ELY, CARDIFF, JAILED FOR CHILD KNIFE ATTACK

In January 2003, Lee Mugliston, a 35-year-old former nurse from Ely in Cardiff, was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of child cruelty and assault. Mugliston was found guilty of holding a knife to the throat of a six-year-old boy he was babysitting, as well as assaulting the child’s four-year-old brother. The incidents occurred while Mugliston was caring for the children.

Prosecutor Richard Twomlow explained to the court that Mugliston had ill-treated both children on multiple occasions since November 2001. However, these abuses only came to light after June 2002, when the four-year-old was injured. Witnesses reported seeing neighbours observe Mugliston pick up the younger boy by his neck and drop him onto the pavement outside the family home.

Twomlow recounted, “The boy tried to run away but halfway across the street, the defendant caught up with him. He violently slapped him across the back of the head. The boy was knocked to the ground, crying and screaming. Mugliston struck him again before shoving him into a gate.” The court was told that Mugliston then pushed the boy inside through the front door.

A passing driver overheard Mugliston threaten the boy, saying, “Get in there, I’m going to batter you.” Neighbours also heard shouting and banging from inside the house and contacted the child's mother. When she arrived home, she found her son with a forehead wound that required three stitches.

During the trial, the older child, who is unnamed to protect his identity, provided evidence via video link. He stated, “I don’t like Lee because he hits me and kicks me, and I don’t know why. Once, he held a knife to my throat when I was getting ready for bed. It was a sharp knife.”

The defendant’s lawyer, Bob Hawkins, argued, “The defendant still denies what has happened. The sadness and irony are that he has spent part of his working life as a nurse helping others.”

Judge Isabel Parry addressed Mugliston directly, saying, “You have no idea how to handle vulnerable children properly. You are a man prone to violent behaviour towards young children. Despite the guilty verdict from the jury, you continue to deny all responsibility for your actions.”