Uncle Convicted Of Murdering His Three-Year-Old Nephew

An uncle who assaulted and killed his three-year-old nephew in his care has been found guilty of murder following a trial at the Old Bailey.

Ben Igbinedion, 43, of Darent House, Brangbourne Road, Bromley, assaulted his nephew Daniel Evbuowman in the early hours of 2 March after Daniel had wet the bed they were sharing.

Igbinedion then put Daniel back to sleep in a different bed but when family members tried to wake him in the morning, he did not respond. An ambulance was called and Daniel was taken to Lewisham Hospital where he died.

The court heard how Daniel had come to stay the night at Igbinedion's, who was also left in charge of his three children while his wife went to work. At bedtime, Igbinedion stated that Daniel and his youngest son should sleep in his room, while the other children slept in their own room.

In the early hours of the morning, one of the children was woken by Igbinedion telling off Daniel for wetting the bed. Igbinedion then moved the victim into the children's bedroom, where he remained until the morning.

Daniel's cousins had attempted to wake him but after several attempts he slumped from the bed to the floor. An ambulance was called and despite attempts to resuscitate him, Daniel died in hospital.

A post mortem examination at Great Ormond Street Hospital revealed that Daniel had suffered a major trauma to his pelvis and ribs. The examination concluded that the injuries could not have been caused by an accidental fall from the bed where Daniel was sleeping.

Igbinedion was arrested but his version of the night's events was contradicted by other testimonies from his children. He was subsequently charged with Daniel's murder on 7 March 2013.

Igbinedion will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on 22 November.

(CD/JP)