SEAN BUCKLEY SENTENCED FOR MURDER OF FINLEY JOHN THOMAS IN TONYPANDY

In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Tonypandy, a man named Sean Buckley has been sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison after being found guilty of the brutal murder of his girlfriend’s 17-month-old son, Finley John Thomas. The court heard that Buckley, aged 28, inflicted fatal injuries on the young child through violent physical abuse, specifically by beating him with a garden chair.

Initially, Buckley claimed that Finley had suffered his injuries from a fall down the stairs, asserting that the toddler had a fractured skull and broken ribs as a result of this accident. However, medical examinations painted a very different picture. Doctors at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, where Finley was first taken, discovered that the child had suffered a severe intracranial bleed and identified an older injury behind his right ear, indicating prior trauma. Further investigations revealed traces of cocaine and cannabis in Finley's system, raising concerns about the child's environment and the circumstances surrounding his injuries.

During the trial at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that Buckley's account of the incident was false. The prosecution presented evidence that contradicted his story, including the discovery of multiple injuries inconsistent with a simple fall. Finley was transferred from the Royal Glamorgan Hospital to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where doctors found a 10cm by 10cm swelling on the back of his head, along with bruising on one of his ears. Despite medical efforts, Finley succumbed to his injuries on September 24, 2014.

The postmortem examination uncovered additional injuries, such as fractured ribs and multiple fractures to his skull, injuries that were deemed highly unusual and indicative of deliberate harm. Prosecutors argued that the injuries suggested Finley had been shaken or thrown, and that the injuries were the result of a vicious and calculated act of violence by Buckley. The court heard that Buckley had attempted to conceal the truth through a manufactured story, with the support and complicity of Finley's mother, Chloe Thomas, aged 25, who admitted to child cruelty and is awaiting sentencing.

Judge Mrs. Justice Frances Patterson described Buckley’s actions as cruel and wicked, emphasizing the severity of his conduct. She indicated that Buckley's actions could result in a life sentence, as she suggested that he might never be released from prison. The court also condemned the deceitful manner in which Buckley and Chloe Thomas tried to cover up the true cause of Finley's injuries, highlighting the tragic impact on the young child's life and the community of Tonypandy.

Finley was born in April 2013, and his mother began her relationship with Buckley approximately a year later. The case has left a lasting scar on the community, raising questions about child safety and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from harm.