Posted on 01/13/2005 3:58:45 PM PST by kingsurfer
Salt poison case couple convicted
Christian Blewitt died six weeks after moving in with the couple A couple found guilty of killing a three-year-old boy they had planned to adopt have each been jailed for five years for manslaughter. Ian and Angela Gay, from Halesowen, West Midlands, were convicted of force-feeding Christian Blewitt salt as a punishment over his behaviour.
The court heard the child died after he failed to meet their expectations of family living.
The couple were cleared of murder by a jury at Worcester Crown Court.
The court was told the Gays force-fed Christian at least four teaspoons of salt in his food or drink when they became angry and frustrated at him.
'Under pressure'
The prosecution claimed the university-educated pair, who bought a five-bedroom house worth £500,000 to accommodate their new family, became disenchanted with Christian when he rejected Mr Gay.
Just days into the 13-week placement, Mr Gay, 37, described Christian as "brainless", "a vegetable" and "a zombie" when he rang his case worker to demand to know what was wrong with him.
Questions were asked about couple's adoption bid
In police interviews, Mr Gay said his wife wanted to send the children back in the week before Christian collapsed and she was under pressure from her £200,000-a-year job.
Christian was admitted to hospital five weeks into a trial placement with the couple at their former home in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, in 2002.
The couple maintained throughout the seven-week trial that they did not know how Christian came to have a raised sodium level in his blood.
The court heard evidence from numerous medical experts but was told it may never be known what happened to the boy. Sandwell Social Services, which police said primarily handled the adoption process, promised that a review would be completed in the next few weeks.
'Tragic' case
In a statement, Angela Saganowska, of Sandwell Council, said: "(I) note that the judge made no criticism regarding the adoption process in this case."
The review is being carried out by the Sandwell Area Child Protection Committee, which includes representatives from Sandwell Council, West Midlands Police, local health services and the NSPCC.
Afterwards, police said it was a tragic case but they were pleased with the outcome.
Det Chief Insp Steve Cullen, from West Mercia Police, said: "The sentence will never be enough to compensate for his (Christian's) death but justice has been served."
Det Chief Insp Cullen added: "It is difficult to conceive how a little boy would voluntarily eat several teaspoons of salt.
"This has been backed by experts who would say a child would naturally reject even a small quantity."
I had to post this as I was so angry when I saw it. All the kid needed was a good home and some love and they poison him.
Agree
I have heard it said there is a special place in heaven for little children like this poor child and a special place in hell for the killers. God Almighty please help us.
Re: The story - I suppose they got manslaughter because the exact cause of death was not determined and murder couldn't be proved. In any event, another black eye for "Gay" adoption. /joke
I agree....although I doubt they planned on killing him, it was an unforseen consequence. That said, they should have returned the child immediately. The adoption agency dropped the ball too....if the man called and "demanded" what was wrong with the child, they should have seen the red flag. What kind of person expects a 3yo to "instantly" adjust and warm up to strangers?
I read more on this. The kid died from a head injury and salt poisoning.
There were 11 bruises on poor Christian's head. What horrible people.
A head injury too? Poor little guy. In my state it is called "child abuse resulting in death". I don't get that, it is as though killing your child is less heinous than other forms of murder. Go figure.
A head injury too? Poor little guy. In my state it is called "child abuse resulting in death". I don't get that, it is as though killing your child is less heinous than other forms of murder. Go figure. It appears society at large has determined children are lesser life forms. The same one that claims to do everything "for the children". Obviously these losers beat and abused a defenseless 3yo to death. 5 years my a$$
No kidding. D- grade, at best.
"Send the children back"? You mean, we're supposed to guess that they had adopted more than one?
The article also seems to imply there was more than one adopted child (It references returning the children). Is this true or was this child the only victim of these animals?
Great minds .... see my post right before yours "Children"
Yes, he had a brother.
See BBC
Get two ropes.
http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/4105943.stm
sorry- I meant to post that
"It were better for him that a millstone be tied about his neck, and he cast onto the sea, than that he should injure one of these little ones."; Luke 17:2
Five years will be as nothing compared to an eternity in Hell.
ol' hoghead
It wouldn't occur to me to use it as a punishment. Whatever happened to "washing your mouth out with soap"?
Christ. And there are people serving more than five years for stealing food to feed their children, I'm sure.
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