DavidAlizée
14th January 2005, 14:06
DEPRIVED toddler Christian Blewitt's future looked bright when well-off couple Ian and Angela Gay adopted him.
Home was now a £500,000 house and his new mum earned £200,000 a year. Flash cars, including a Lotus Elan, lined the drive and a 30ft boat was berthed on a nearby river.
But just five weeks into a 13-week trial adoption, the three-year-old was dead - killed by the couple who were supposed to offer him love and protection. And all because the little boy was too much of a handful.
Last night the Gays were each beginning five-year jail sentences after being found guilty of manslaughter. Christian was poisoned with a salt overdose and dumped heavily into his cot.
He died four days later from brain damage.
Callous Mrs Gay even went back to work the day after Christian was admitted to hospital.
The pair, who were cleared of murder, found it hard to cope with the difficult toddler - who came from a broken home along with his younger brother and sister- and claimed his behaviour was tearing their marriage apart.
Within days of taking on the three children, Mr Gay called his social worker and branded Christian a "zombie", and a "vegetable". He was a slow learner whose disruptive ways were ruining their dream of the perfect family.
The final straw came when the youngster hurled his dinner on the floor one day in December 2002. As far as the Gays were concerned, this was the final act of defiance in their struggle to control him.
He was force-fed four teaspoons of salt as a punishment before being hurled into his cot.
Within minutes Christian had fallen into a coma. He was taken to hospital where he died.
Sentencing the Gays, judge Mr Justice Pitchers told them: "You gave the impression that you were proper carers of these children. Anyone listening to the case must have been struck by the very little real understanding or sympathy you had for the needs of Christian.
"When he showed wilful behaviour you punished him by making him eat salt. Although you didn't know it would prove fatal, tragically it did so."
But the judge rejected prosecution claims the couple had struck the child.
Last night, the toddler's real mum Tracy Osik attacked the sentence. The 21-year-old said: "The fact that they have only got five years for doing something so wicked is beyond words.
"I want them to rot in hell for what they have done. I would burn them alive."
Christian had known little happiness in his short life. From birth he was neglected and not fed properly, the court heard.
Within a year he had been taken into care by social workers who then tried to find him a new home and loving parents.
The Gays, both 37, and their smart home in Bromsgrove, Worcs, seemed perfect.
He was a former engineer who loved boating and she was a high-flying actuary specialising in pension schemes.
But they could not have children of their own. They contacted social workers at Sandwell in the West Midlands about adopting. After going on a parent training course they took in Christian and his siblings.
Mrs Gay promised to take three months off work to look after the three children, but went back after just 10 days - a move the judge branded "selfish".
Worcester crown court heard how Christian rejected his new mum and began kicking, butting and biting her. He refused to eat.
A few days before the tragedy Mrs Gay protested: "I can't take this anymore. Things are going to change." She told social workers Christian was "brainless". Her husband later told police the child was "tearing us apart".
Mrs Gay was "read the riot act" after returning to work early and the couple were given a video on child rearing.
Social worker Gill Jones told the jury the toddler was proving to be "someone different to what they had expected".
It was said the couple had unreasonable expectations of him.
During the seven-week trial the Gays vehemently denied they had done anything to harm Christian. Experts could not agree about how the toddler sustained the head injury from which he died, despite the wealth of medical evidence.
Home Office pathologist Professor Helen Whitwell said the brain damage could have been caused by an impact, or forceful gripping.
Prof Whitwell insisted there was "nothing specific" to indicate the problem had been caused by too much salt and there was no evidence of a weapon being used.
Consultant paediatrician Dr Timothy Chambers said it was not safe to conclude definitively that Christian's high blood-sodium levels were caused by ingesting salt. But he agreed with prosecutor Julia Macur QC that there was "virtually no other reason" to explain it.
The judge made no criticism of social services for placing Christian with the Gays. He said: "I don't think this is a case where there is any blame to be attached to them."
Sandwell Council's executive director of social inclusion and health Angela Saganowska said: "As with any case of this nature our social services department has been looking in depth at its involvement with Christian.
"I am keen to see whether or not there are any lessons to be learned from the case for the future.
"A case review is being undertaken by the Sandwell Area Child Protection Committee."
Christian's brother and sister have been adopted by another couple and are said to be "thriving".
The Gays hugged each other in the dock before they were led away to start their sentences. After the case, West Mercia Police Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cullen said: "We are pleased justice has been done for Christian.
"The case has touched a lot of people's hearts. Although this sentence should help to ease the pain of the loss of Christian, we know that it will never be enough to compensate fully for his death."
Mrs Gay's father Royston Swain, 61, said the couple will appeal. He added: "We are devastated."
Well, after reading this in my local newspaper.. its very upsetting realy. However.. I do not belive all the blame should be placed on the parents. Yes.. they have killed him by brain damage.. yes they gave him salt for punishment. The fact is.. If 21 year old Jenny had kept her legs crossed in the first place, and didnt neglect in her duties as a mother.. Christian, the little boy would be alive today to a mother that loves him. I agree the sentance they got was not deserved.. however the bio mother is also at fault!
For her to come foward and say those things after she couldnt hack it herself, and gave her child up like that is beyond words. Yet again.. the fact stands.. If Jenny has had been a "mother" and loved her son.. he would be alive today.. and now he is dead.
Home was now a £500,000 house and his new mum earned £200,000 a year. Flash cars, including a Lotus Elan, lined the drive and a 30ft boat was berthed on a nearby river.
But just five weeks into a 13-week trial adoption, the three-year-old was dead - killed by the couple who were supposed to offer him love and protection. And all because the little boy was too much of a handful.
Last night the Gays were each beginning five-year jail sentences after being found guilty of manslaughter. Christian was poisoned with a salt overdose and dumped heavily into his cot.
He died four days later from brain damage.
Callous Mrs Gay even went back to work the day after Christian was admitted to hospital.
The pair, who were cleared of murder, found it hard to cope with the difficult toddler - who came from a broken home along with his younger brother and sister- and claimed his behaviour was tearing their marriage apart.
Within days of taking on the three children, Mr Gay called his social worker and branded Christian a "zombie", and a "vegetable". He was a slow learner whose disruptive ways were ruining their dream of the perfect family.
The final straw came when the youngster hurled his dinner on the floor one day in December 2002. As far as the Gays were concerned, this was the final act of defiance in their struggle to control him.
He was force-fed four teaspoons of salt as a punishment before being hurled into his cot.
Within minutes Christian had fallen into a coma. He was taken to hospital where he died.
Sentencing the Gays, judge Mr Justice Pitchers told them: "You gave the impression that you were proper carers of these children. Anyone listening to the case must have been struck by the very little real understanding or sympathy you had for the needs of Christian.
"When he showed wilful behaviour you punished him by making him eat salt. Although you didn't know it would prove fatal, tragically it did so."
But the judge rejected prosecution claims the couple had struck the child.
Last night, the toddler's real mum Tracy Osik attacked the sentence. The 21-year-old said: "The fact that they have only got five years for doing something so wicked is beyond words.
"I want them to rot in hell for what they have done. I would burn them alive."
Christian had known little happiness in his short life. From birth he was neglected and not fed properly, the court heard.
Within a year he had been taken into care by social workers who then tried to find him a new home and loving parents.
The Gays, both 37, and their smart home in Bromsgrove, Worcs, seemed perfect.
He was a former engineer who loved boating and she was a high-flying actuary specialising in pension schemes.
But they could not have children of their own. They contacted social workers at Sandwell in the West Midlands about adopting. After going on a parent training course they took in Christian and his siblings.
Mrs Gay promised to take three months off work to look after the three children, but went back after just 10 days - a move the judge branded "selfish".
Worcester crown court heard how Christian rejected his new mum and began kicking, butting and biting her. He refused to eat.
A few days before the tragedy Mrs Gay protested: "I can't take this anymore. Things are going to change." She told social workers Christian was "brainless". Her husband later told police the child was "tearing us apart".
Mrs Gay was "read the riot act" after returning to work early and the couple were given a video on child rearing.
Social worker Gill Jones told the jury the toddler was proving to be "someone different to what they had expected".
It was said the couple had unreasonable expectations of him.
During the seven-week trial the Gays vehemently denied they had done anything to harm Christian. Experts could not agree about how the toddler sustained the head injury from which he died, despite the wealth of medical evidence.
Home Office pathologist Professor Helen Whitwell said the brain damage could have been caused by an impact, or forceful gripping.
Prof Whitwell insisted there was "nothing specific" to indicate the problem had been caused by too much salt and there was no evidence of a weapon being used.
Consultant paediatrician Dr Timothy Chambers said it was not safe to conclude definitively that Christian's high blood-sodium levels were caused by ingesting salt. But he agreed with prosecutor Julia Macur QC that there was "virtually no other reason" to explain it.
The judge made no criticism of social services for placing Christian with the Gays. He said: "I don't think this is a case where there is any blame to be attached to them."
Sandwell Council's executive director of social inclusion and health Angela Saganowska said: "As with any case of this nature our social services department has been looking in depth at its involvement with Christian.
"I am keen to see whether or not there are any lessons to be learned from the case for the future.
"A case review is being undertaken by the Sandwell Area Child Protection Committee."
Christian's brother and sister have been adopted by another couple and are said to be "thriving".
The Gays hugged each other in the dock before they were led away to start their sentences. After the case, West Mercia Police Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cullen said: "We are pleased justice has been done for Christian.
"The case has touched a lot of people's hearts. Although this sentence should help to ease the pain of the loss of Christian, we know that it will never be enough to compensate fully for his death."
Mrs Gay's father Royston Swain, 61, said the couple will appeal. He added: "We are devastated."
Well, after reading this in my local newspaper.. its very upsetting realy. However.. I do not belive all the blame should be placed on the parents. Yes.. they have killed him by brain damage.. yes they gave him salt for punishment. The fact is.. If 21 year old Jenny had kept her legs crossed in the first place, and didnt neglect in her duties as a mother.. Christian, the little boy would be alive today to a mother that loves him. I agree the sentance they got was not deserved.. however the bio mother is also at fault!
For her to come foward and say those things after she couldnt hack it herself, and gave her child up like that is beyond words. Yet again.. the fact stands.. If Jenny has had been a "mother" and loved her son.. he would be alive today.. and now he is dead.