Grandparents who murdered toddler after campaign of horrific abuse will not have their jail sentences increased
Grandparents who murdered toddler after campaign of horrific abuse will not have their jail sentences increased
Last year, Michael Ives, 48, and his wife Kerry Ives, 47, were sentenced to life imprisonment for the killing of their two-year-old grandson, Ethan Ives-Griffiths. The case, heard at Mold Crown Court, centered on the brutal abuse the child endured before his death.
In August 2021, Ethan collapsed with a severe head injury at his grandparents’ residence in Flintshire, North Wales. At the time, the toddler was extremely dehydrated, significantly underweight, and bore visible bruises and marks across his body. A post-mortem examination uncovered more than 40 injuries, alongside devastating brain trauma, revealing the extent of the harm inflicted over time.
The couple’s sentences—23 years for Michael and 17 years for Kerry—were challenged in the Court of Appeal. Bill Emlyn Jones KC, representing the Solicitor General, argued that the terms were too lenient, citing the aggravating circumstances of the crime. However, the panel of judges, including Lord Justice Popplewell, Mr Justice Sweeting, and Judge Penelope Moreland, concluded the punishments were fair and justified.
“Ethan was a brave and resilient boy with a strong character,” Lord Justice Popplewell noted in the ruling. “His grandparents did not like him standing up for himself.”
The court highlighted that CCTV footage showed Michael Ives lifting his grandson by the arm and appearing to strike him before placing him in a car seat. Additional clips depicted Ethan walking with an unusual, unsteady gait in the garden, possibly due to early brain injuries from prior assaults. The judge also mentioned that Michael would force Ethan to stand with his hands on his head as a form of humiliation.
Ethan had been on the child protection register, requiring regular check-ins every 10 days. Yet, his mother, Shannon Ives, 28, informed a social worker on August 5 that the child was napping. The family last appeared together at Broughton Retail Park on August 13, just days before Ethan’s tragic death.
Shannon Ives was convicted of neglect and cruelty, receiving a 12-year prison term. Her legal team, led by Gordon Cole KC, appealed the sentence, claiming it was excessive and that the judge hadn’t fully considered her mitigating factors. The appeal was dismissed, as the judges believed the original decision had been thoroughly evaluated.
