TRAGIC DEATH OF JASMINE GALYER: SCUNTHORPE STEPDAUGHTER'S BRUTAL BEATING LEADS TO EIGHT-YEAR SENTENCE FOR STUART PIRIE

In a heartbreaking case that has shocked the community of Scunthorpe, a man identified as Stuart Pirie, aged 32, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the manslaughter of his three-year-old stepdaughter, Jasmine Galyer. The tragic incident unfolded after a prolonged period of abuse, during which Pirie inflicted severe injuries on the young girl, ultimately leading to her untimely death.

According to court records, Stuart Pirie, a resident of Ripon Close in Scunthorpe, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge, acknowledging that his actions over a span of 13 months contributed directly to Jasmine’s fatal injuries. The court heard that the young girl was subjected to physical abuse primarily because she had wet the bed, a common issue among children her age but one that Pirie responded to with violent aggression. The brutality of his actions was such that Jasmine sustained brain injuries comparable to those typically seen in victims of high-impact car crashes.

On the day of her hospitalisation, Jasmine was taken to Scunthorpe General Hospital on February 5. Paramedics who responded to the emergency reported that Pirie had initially claimed Jasmine had fallen in the bathroom, a story that medical professionals quickly recognized as false. The doctors immediately identified that Jasmine had suffered critical internal injuries, which necessitated urgent surgical intervention. Despite their efforts, Jasmine succumbed to her injuries during surgery at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

An examination of her body revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse: 51 bruises in various stages of healing, with some more than 24 hours old and others inflicted recently. The severity and number of injuries painted a clear picture of ongoing violence inflicted upon the young girl.

During sentencing, Judge Michael Mettyear condemned Pirie’s actions as inhumane, emphasizing that there was no justification for the violence he inflicted. The judge acknowledged that Jasmine’s low IQ and learning difficulties might have influenced her mother, Melissa Galyer, 21, but stressed that these factors did not excuse the cruelty. Jasmine was described as a bright, happy, and beautiful girl before the abuse began.

Melissa Galyer was also convicted in connection with the case and received a sentence of two and a half years for child cruelty. Additionally, Stuart Pirie admitted to a charge of child cruelty, which resulted in a concurrent four-year sentence. The court’s decision underscores the severity of the crimes committed and the tragic loss of a young life.

Following the incident, a review has been initiated by North Lincolnshire social services. It was revealed that a social worker had visited the family in January 2003, nearly a year before Jasmine’s death. Neighbours had previously reported Pirie’s aggressive behavior towards Jasmine, but despite these concerns, the family was not placed on the risk register, raising questions about the adequacy of protective measures in place at the time.