Rhondda Cynon Taf,South Wales - Toddler 'murdered in vicious attack by mother's boyfriend – but they claimed he fell down the stairs'

Finley Thomas was 17 months old when he died

•  23 MAY 2016
• BY BENJAMIN WRIGHT, PRESS ASSOCIATION

Sean Buckley, 28, denies murdering 17-month-old Finley John Thomas while the little boy's mother Chloe Thomas denies child cruelty

A toddler was murdered in a “vicious” attack by his mother’s boyfriend, jurors have been told.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Finley John Thomas was 17 months old when he died after suffering severe head injuries.

Paramedics were called to his home in Tonypandy , Rhondda Cynon Taf , and found Finley motionless and looking “ghostly” in colour.

Doctors discovered a 10cm by 10cm swelling on the back of his head and a bruise on his right ear.

Sean Buckley, 28, of Tonypandy, has pleaded not guilty to murder. He has also denied causing child cruelty – a charge also denied by Finley’s mother Chloe Thomas, 25.

Prosecuting counsel Roger Thomas QC has told the jury Buckley and Thomas told emergency crews Finley had fallen down the stairs.

But in his opening of the case Mr Thomas said the injuries Finley suffered had not been caused by accident.

He said: “The catastrophic injuries sustained by Finley Thomas were not the result of a simple fall or accident down the stairs – but rather as a result of a deliberate and vicious act by Sean Buckley that had immediately devastating effects.

“His persistent and deceitful account of what occurred is assisted by the lies of and support of Chloe Thomas.”

Mother claimed son was 'clumsy'

The court was told that Thomas rang 999 on September 23, 2014, and told the operator her son had fallen from the top step of the stairs at her home in Adams Street before she found him lying floppy on the floor.

The Crown said both defendants told doctors they had not seen Finley fall, with Buckley saying he was upstairs when he heard a series of loud thuds.

Thomas said her son was a “clumsy” boy and that an older bruise found on her son’s ear had been caused when he had been alone in the front room.

However the prosecution said Buckley had offered a different explanation, saying Finley had been upstairs and hit his ear on a cupboard after being knocked over by a dog.

Mr Thomas said: “Sean Buckley knows the exact truth about what he did to him (Finley) on September 23. He has shown no remorse, no regret. He has lied constantly to protect himself.”

The trial, which is expected to last four to five weeks, continues.

see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/toddler-murdered-vicious-attack-mothers-11375301