A killer who left his girlfriend's toddler son with a fractured skull and broken ribs as he murdered the little boy in a catalogue of violence has been warned he may never be released from jail.
Sean Buckley, 28, was jailed for life at Cardiff Crown Court after being convicted of murdering "defenceless" 17-month-old Finley Thomas, from the Rhondda.
He was also found guilty of child cruelty against Finley, who was the son of his new girlfriend Chloe Thomas.
Buckley was told he will serve a minimum of 17 years but warned by judge Mrs Justice Frances Patterson he may never be freed.
The seven men and five women of the jury returned their verdicts on Thursday morning after deliberating for more than a day.
Tattooed Buckley, in an open-collared blue shirt, turned repeatedly to the public gallery but remained silent following the verdict that he was guilty on both counts.
Seventeen-month-old Finley was found to have suffered fatal head injuries when paramedics got to his home at Adams Street, Clydach Vale, following a 999 call on September 23, 2014.
He had also suffered fractures to his ribs and bleeding behind the eyes. Buckley had beaten him with a garden chair.
Buckley was handed a life jail term for murder and told he will serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars.
He was also handed a four-year sentence, to run concurrently, for child cruelty.
Finley's mother, 25, has previously pleaded guilty to child cruelty and will be sentenced at a later date.
Buckley, originally from Pinewood Drive in Trealaw, denied charges of murder and child cruelty, saying he found Finley at the bottom of the stairs after hearing a noise while Ms Thomas was at her grandmother’s home across the street.
Doctors later discovered Finley had suffered a severe bleed to the brain and also found an older injury behind his right ear.
Mrs Justice Patterson described Buckley as cruel and wicked after he had smashed a garden chair against the head of the defenceless toddler.
She added: “You intended to cause [injury] to an entirely innocent child.”
Finley was born in April 2013 and around a year later his mother got together with convicted drug user Buckley.
Less than six months later Thomas rang 999 and told the operator that her son had “banged his head” and was “lying floppy”.
Finley was first taken to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital before being transferred to theUniversity Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where a 10cm by 10cm swelling was found on the back of his head.
He died the following day on September 24.
Mrs Justice Patterson told the court she wished to "acknowledge the dignified way in which the family of Finley have behaved during the course of this trial".
A killer who left his girlfriend's toddler son with a fractured skull and broken ribs as he murdered the little boy in a catalogue of violence has been warned he may never be released from jail.
Sean Buckley, 28, was jailed for life at Cardiff Crown Court after being convicted of murdering "defenceless" 17-month-old Finley Thomas, from the Rhondda.
He was also found guilty of child cruelty against Finley, who was the son of his new girlfriend Chloe Thomas.
Buckley was told he will serve a minimum of 17 years but warned by judge Mrs Justice Frances Patterson he may never be freed.
The seven men and five women of the jury returned their verdicts on Thursday morning after deliberating for more than a day.
Tattooed Buckley, in an open-collared blue shirt, turned repeatedly to the public gallery but remained silent following the verdict that he was guilty on both counts.
Seventeen-month-old Finley was found to have suffered fatal head injuries when paramedics got to his home at Adams Street, Clydach Vale, following a 999 call on September 23, 2014.
He had also suffered fractures to his ribs and bleeding behind the eyes. Buckley had beaten him with a garden chair.
Buckley was handed a life jail term for murder and told he will serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars.
He was also handed a four-year sentence, to run concurrently, for child cruelty.
Finley's mother, 25, has previously pleaded guilty to child cruelty and will be sentenced at a later date.
Buckley, originally from Pinewood Drive in Trealaw, denied charges of murder and child cruelty, saying he found Finley at the bottom of the stairs after hearing a noise while Ms Thomas was at her grandmother’s home across the street.
Doctors later discovered Finley had suffered a severe bleed to the brain and also found an older injury behind his right ear.
Mrs Justice Patterson described Buckley as cruel and wicked after he had smashed a garden chair against the head of the defenceless toddler.
She added: “You intended to cause [injury] to an entirely innocent child.”
Finley was born in April 2013 and around a year later his mother got together with convicted drug user Buckley.
Less than six months later Thomas rang 999 and told the operator that her son had “banged his head” and was “lying floppy”.
Finley was first taken to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital before being transferred to theUniversity Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where a 10cm by 10cm swelling was found on the back of his head.
He died the following day on September 24.
Mrs Justice Patterson told the court she wished to "acknowledge the dignified way in which the family of Finley have behaved during the course of this trial".
'Bid to avoid justice'
Nicola Rees, acting head of the Crown Prosecution Service Wales Complex Casework Unit, said: “Finley Thomas died of head injuries as a result of the actions of Sean Buckley.
“During the course of the trial the court heard a great deal of detail about the nature of the injuries inflicted on Finley.
“The prosecution was in no doubt that Buckley was responsible for Finley’s tragic death and, having heard all the evidence, a jury has now reached the same conclusion.
“After Finley’s death Buckley attempted to cover up what he had done in a bid to avoid justice.
“A thorough police investigation ensured that this course of action did not succeed.
“Whilst Chloe Thomas acknowledged her role in this series of events, entering a guilty plea to child cruelty during the course of court proceedings, Sean Buckley has refused to take any responsibility for his actions. A jury has now ensured that he must do so.
“Finley’s tragic death has brought grief to his family and those close to him and our thoughts and sympathies are with them.”
Nicola Rees, acting head of the Crown Prosecution Service Wales Complex Casework Unit, said: “Finley Thomas died of head injuries as a result of the actions of Sean Buckley.
“During the course of the trial the court heard a great deal of detail about the nature of the injuries inflicted on Finley.
“The prosecution was in no doubt that Buckley was responsible for Finley’s tragic death and, having heard all the evidence, a jury has now reached the same conclusion.
“After Finley’s death Buckley attempted to cover up what he had done in a bid to avoid justice.
“A thorough police investigation ensured that this course of action did not succeed.
“Whilst Chloe Thomas acknowledged her role in this series of events, entering a guilty plea to child cruelty during the course of court proceedings, Sean Buckley has refused to take any responsibility for his actions. A jury has now ensured that he must do so.
“Finley’s tragic death has brought grief to his family and those close to him and our thoughts and sympathies are with them.”
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'Brutality blighted Finley's life'
Following the verdict Des Mannion, the head of NSPCC Wales, said: “The horrendous abuse suffered by Finley Thomas and the horrific way he died is deeply shocking. A defenceless toddler was subjected to appalling levels of violence by a man who should have been protecting him.
“Finley’s young life has been tragically cut short and his mother’s admission of cruelty further highlights his complete lack of protection from the abuse being inflicted on him.
“Everyone who has followed the trial will have been deeply affected by the evidence of brutality that blighted Finley’s life.
“It is a sad reality that cases of abuse and neglect take place every day in homes across the country. Each will severely damage a child’s future.
“Babies and young children are entirely dependent on those who care for them and we all have a duty to look out for their welfare.
“We now expect there to be a detailed case review which should provide much-needed answers into how this tragedy took place and help prevent children like Finley suffering in this way again.”
Following the verdict Des Mannion, the head of NSPCC Wales, said: “The horrendous abuse suffered by Finley Thomas and the horrific way he died is deeply shocking. A defenceless toddler was subjected to appalling levels of violence by a man who should have been protecting him.
“Finley’s young life has been tragically cut short and his mother’s admission of cruelty further highlights his complete lack of protection from the abuse being inflicted on him.
“Everyone who has followed the trial will have been deeply affected by the evidence of brutality that blighted Finley’s life.
“It is a sad reality that cases of abuse and neglect take place every day in homes across the country. Each will severely damage a child’s future.
“Babies and young children are entirely dependent on those who care for them and we all have a duty to look out for their welfare.
“We now expect there to be a detailed case review which should provide much-needed answers into how this tragedy took place and help prevent children like Finley suffering in this way again.”
'Lengthy and difficult investigation'
South Wales Police’s Detective Inspector Stuart Wales, the senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Stuart Wales said: “Our thoughts today are with Finley Thomas and those who knew and loved him.
South Wales Police’s Detective Inspector Stuart Wales statement
“Finley’s untimely tragic death shocked the community of Clydach, Tonypandy.
“During the trial the court heard Finley’s mother, Chloe Thomas, plead guilty to neglect.
“The jury has now found Sean Buckley guilty of murder and neglect.
“This outcome follows a lengthy and difficult investigation.
“I want to thank all the witnesses who assisted the investigation, particularly those who gave evidence during the trial.
“Finley was only 17 months old when he died in the care of the people who should have done more than any other to nurture him and keep him safe.”
He added: “Safeguarding is everyone’s business – if you have any suspicions or concerns about any vulnerable members of your community then please contact the police.
“We will treat any report with the utmost seriousness and we will investigate them.
“Finally I sincerely hope that today’s verdict will now allow Finley’s loved ones to begin to move on with the rest of their lives.”
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/mothers-boyfriend-jailed-life-after-11515862
South Wales Police’s Detective Inspector Stuart Wales, the senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Stuart Wales said: “Our thoughts today are with Finley Thomas and those who knew and loved him.
South Wales Police’s Detective Inspector Stuart Wales statement
“Finley’s untimely tragic death shocked the community of Clydach, Tonypandy.
“During the trial the court heard Finley’s mother, Chloe Thomas, plead guilty to neglect.
“The jury has now found Sean Buckley guilty of murder and neglect.
“This outcome follows a lengthy and difficult investigation.
“I want to thank all the witnesses who assisted the investigation, particularly those who gave evidence during the trial.
“Finley was only 17 months old when he died in the care of the people who should have done more than any other to nurture him and keep him safe.”
He added: “Safeguarding is everyone’s business – if you have any suspicions or concerns about any vulnerable members of your community then please contact the police.
“We will treat any report with the utmost seriousness and we will investigate them.
“Finally I sincerely hope that today’s verdict will now allow Finley’s loved ones to begin to move on with the rest of their lives.”
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/mothers-boyfriend-jailed-life-after-11515862
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