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27/06/2008
Babysitter Faces Sentencing For Toddler Murder
A teenage babysitter who was found guilty of murdering a toddler in his care is to be sentenced today.
Joshua Cook, now 18, sexually abused a 22-month-old boy in his care and then killed him in a "sustained and violent" attack.
Cook, of Maple Drive, Northstead, denied murder but admitted manslaughter and sexual assault.
He had originally told police that he had been holding Charlie when the toddler slipped out of his arms and hit his head.
Charlie Johnson died from "severe head injuries" after the attack at his home in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, on May 16 last year.
The alarm was raised when Cook was seen wandering about in an agitated state on the street and carrying the youngster in a towel.
Home Office pathologist Dr William Lawler, who conducted the post-mortem examination found that the toddler had a "large blood clot over the surface of the brain".
Charlie was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, where he died in the early hours of the morning during brain surgery.
It is understood a neighbour had tried to resuscitate the youngster before an ambulance arrived.
It is also reported that police found semen stained toilet roll in Charlie's home after a search.
Cook will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court.
A jury took just over two hours to unanimously find the teenager guilty of murder.
Prosecuting, barrister Bryan Cox QC told the court that some of the Charlie's bruising suggested "punching, kicking" or "violent shaking" that would have caused "substantial pain".
Speaking after the verdict, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Carey, from North Yorkshire Police said he was "pleased that justice had been done" and hoped that the verdict would "bring some closure for Charlie's family".
A statement released by Charlie's family said they felt "immense relief" that Cook had been convicted.
"Charlie was a bright, happy boy and a joy to be around. He has left a huge gap in the lives of his family, in particular his brother and sister who are struggling to come to terms with life without their baby brother," the statement read.
It is understood that Cook had been a regular babysitter for Charlie's mother Georgina Fisher for about four months before the assault.
(DS)
Joshua Cook, now 18, sexually abused a 22-month-old boy in his care and then killed him in a "sustained and violent" attack.
Cook, of Maple Drive, Northstead, denied murder but admitted manslaughter and sexual assault.
He had originally told police that he had been holding Charlie when the toddler slipped out of his arms and hit his head.
Charlie Johnson died from "severe head injuries" after the attack at his home in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, on May 16 last year.
The alarm was raised when Cook was seen wandering about in an agitated state on the street and carrying the youngster in a towel.
Home Office pathologist Dr William Lawler, who conducted the post-mortem examination found that the toddler had a "large blood clot over the surface of the brain".
Charlie was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, where he died in the early hours of the morning during brain surgery.
It is understood a neighbour had tried to resuscitate the youngster before an ambulance arrived.
It is also reported that police found semen stained toilet roll in Charlie's home after a search.
Cook will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court.
A jury took just over two hours to unanimously find the teenager guilty of murder.
Prosecuting, barrister Bryan Cox QC told the court that some of the Charlie's bruising suggested "punching, kicking" or "violent shaking" that would have caused "substantial pain".
Speaking after the verdict, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Carey, from North Yorkshire Police said he was "pleased that justice had been done" and hoped that the verdict would "bring some closure for Charlie's family".
A statement released by Charlie's family said they felt "immense relief" that Cook had been convicted.
"Charlie was a bright, happy boy and a joy to be around. He has left a huge gap in the lives of his family, in particular his brother and sister who are struggling to come to terms with life without their baby brother," the statement read.
It is understood that Cook had been a regular babysitter for Charlie's mother Georgina Fisher for about four months before the assault.
(DS)
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