GIRL WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AND SUFFERED ALMOST 30 SEPARATE INJURIES AFTER SHE WAS LEFT WITH A PERVERT FOR A LONG WEEKEND
A young girl suffered severe physical and sexual abuse after an extended period under the care of Stefan Toole in Birmingham.The traumatic events unfolded over a long weekend, during which the child was subjected to brutal assault, leaving her with nearly 30 different injuries.
When she was finally returned to her mother, the young girl was found to be covered in bruises and injuries, shocking everyone involved.
Medical examinations revealed that the girl sustained wounds to her arms, legs, back, buttocks, face, and head.
Among the injuries was a bite mark, which matched that caused by Stefan Toole, along with finger pressure marks on her knees, indicating a sexual assault.
The court heard that Toole, 22, of Deelands Road, Rubery, had previously been warned by police in 2008 after sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13.
Despite this, he was entrusted with caring for the young girl for a weekend in March 2015, along with his girlfriend, Shauna McEvoy-Byrne, who was then 20 and also from the same address.
The court was told that Toole and McEvoy-Byrne intended to conceal any signs of abuse by prolonging the girl’s stay.
McEvoy-Byrne initially attempted to explain her injuries by telling the mother that the girl had fallen against a radiator, causing bruising.
However, upon her handover, the girl appeared disheveled, with a noticeable mark on her head, prompting concern and leading her mother to call the police.
Jennifer Josephs, the prosecution, stated that when she saw her daughter, she was horrified to find her body covered in bruises.
A subsequent medical assessment confirmed the extent of the injuries, revealing 29 separate sites of trauma.
The court was told that the injuries were consistent with rough handling and violent treatment.
Prosecutors emphasised that the injuries indicated a disturbing pattern of abuse, with the girl having been subjected to both physical and sexual violence.
During the sentencing, Judge Philip Parker described to the court that Stefan Toole had previously been involved in child abuse, warning that it was deeply troubling that he had repeated such offenses while responsible for a young girl.
The judge stated that the injuries inflicted on the victim bore the hallmarks of harsh treatment, emphasising the severity of the case.
Toole pleaded guilty to charges of child cruelty, assault, and sexual assault.
He was convicted and received a sentence of four and a half years in prison.
His lawyer, Charles Crinion, argued that there was no evidence of sadistic intent and suggested that the injuries resulted from Toole losing control.
Meanwhile, McEvoy-Byrne, who was also tried for child cruelty, was convicted and received a 26-week suspended sentence.
Defending, Sharon Bailey, admitted that her client was somewhat dominant towards Toole but also that she failed to see the obvious signs of abuse or chose to ignore them, incapable of accepting the possibility that Toole could behave in such a reprehensible manner.
The case highlights a deeply disturbing instance of child abuse within Birmingham, raising questions about safeguarding and the responsibilities of those entrusted with the care of vulnerable children.
