GRIMSBY OFFENDERS MICHALA PYKE AND JOHN RYTTING SENTENCED FOR CHILD CRUELTY AND DRUG OFFENSES IN HORRIFIC CASE
In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community of Grimsby, two individuals, Michala Pyke and John Rytting, have been convicted and sentenced for their heinous treatment of a young girl, Poppy Widdison, who tragically lost her life due to their neglect and abuse.The case, which unfolded over several years, revealed a pattern of drug abuse, emotional cruelty, and gross misconduct that culminated in the death of the four-year-old girl in June 2013.
According to court proceedings, Pyke and Rytting were responsible for feeding Poppy a dangerous cocktail of drugs, including heroin, diazepam, methadone, and ketamine, over a period of months.
The drugs were administered in a manner that aimed to sedate and subdue her, effectively turning her into a victim of their reckless and depraved lifestyle.
The judge at Hull Crown Court described the case as one of “almost unremitting degradation,” emphasizing the severity of the defendants’ actions.
Judge Jeremy Richardson QC condemned Pyke, stating she was “utterly unfit to be a mother” and that she viewed her daughter as an obstacle in her relationship with Rytting.
The court heard that Pyke’s attitude towards her child was deplorable, with the judge suggesting that Poppy’s very name might have been a reference to her mother’s drug addiction.
The judge further explained that Poppy’s life was marked by tragedy from the moment she was conceived, as she was born into a world of heroin addiction and drug peddling, which Pyke and Rytting both participated in.
Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Pyke had emotionally abused her daughter, with her conduct described as cruel and deliberate.
The court heard that Pyke had plunged Poppy into a mire of drugs and degradation, viewing her as an irritant rather than a child to be cared for.
The evidence included disturbing testimonies about how Pyke and Rytting regarded Poppy, with the court dismissing any claims of love or affection as a “despicable masquerade.” The tragic culmination of their neglect was Poppy’s death in June 2013, which occurred after she suffered a cardiac arrest at Rytting’s home in Grimsby.
The residence was found to contain prescription and controlled drugs left unsecured and within reach of the young girl.
Although a postmortem examination was inconclusive regarding the exact cause of death, toxicology reports revealed that Poppy had been exposed to and had ingested significant amounts of heroin and methadone over a period of two to six months prior to her death.
Both defendants were convicted of child cruelty for allowing Poppy to live in an environment where drugs were accessible and for encouraging her to ingest these substances.
Pyke, aged 38, faced additional charges of emotional abuse, possession of methadone with intent to supply, and supplying the drug.
Her sentence was set at nine years for the child cruelty and four years for the drug offenses.
Rytting, aged 40, was sentenced to eight years for child cruelty and five years for drug-related charges, including importing drugs, supplying controlled substances, and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
Outside the court, Poppy’s family expressed their grief and frustration.
Her uncle, James Widdison, along with her grandparents, Judi Widdison and Fred Soar, spoke about the long wait for justice and the enduring pain of losing Poppy.
Widdison stated, “We’ve waited three and a half years for this day and it doesn’t get any easier.
The memories we’ve got of her are everlasting.
We won’t ever be distanced from that.
There’s no such thing as closure with regards to this case.” Earlier, in December 2016, the same couple had been found guilty of feeding sedatives to Poppy because they considered her an “inconvenience” to their relationship and sex life.
The trial revealed that Pyke and Rytting had deliberately administered drugs to Poppy, including a blue tablet believed to be diazepam, to keep her subdued.
Text messages between the two indicated their desire to keep her quiet and manageable.
On June 9, 2013, emergency services responded to Rytting’s residence in Oliver Court, where Poppy was found unresponsive, blue, and not breathing.
Despite efforts to save her, she died the following day.
Toxicology tests confirmed that Poppy had ingested large quantities of drugs over several months, although these did not directly cause her death.
The court heard that the drugs’ presence was indicative of prolonged neglect and gross misconduct by the defendants.
Both Pyke and Rytting pleaded guilty to child cruelty by allowing Poppy to be in an environment with unsecured drugs and for encouraging her to ingest them.
Pyke also admitted to emotional abuse, with neighbors recounting hearing her shouting at Poppy and calling her a “little bastard.” The jury took just over two hours to convict both of encouraging Poppy to ingest prescription and controlled drugs.
Rytting also admitted importing drugs, supplying controlled substances, and possessing cannabis with intent to supply, while Pyke admitted to supplying methadone and possessing it with intent to supply.
Judge Richardson concluded the proceedings by emphasizing the gravity of their crimes, stating, “You have been convicted by the jury of very serious crimes.
These crimes will inevitably attract a substantial prison sentence.” The pair showed no emotion as they were remanded into custody, awaiting sentencing scheduled for January.
The case remains a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of drug abuse and neglect within a family environment in Grimsby.
