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Ellie's Mum To Dad: 'You Destroyed My Life'

Ben Butler's "resentment" at having to care for daughter Ellie and her sibling while his partner Jennie Gray worked have been revealed in texts.

The texts were contained in newly-released court documents dating back to a hearing by judge Mrs Justice King in 2014, after a successful appeal by the media.

Butler was convicted in June this year of murdering Ellie in October 2013 and was given a minimum 23-year jail term.

The girl's mother, Gray, was sentenced to 42 months in prison after being convicted of child cruelty.

In one text, Butler said: "I don't want this life ... as for kids, your dream not mine."

And "how dare you leave them on me...I never wanted this and then I am left with them."

In another he wrote: "... you decide if you want ... Ellie or not."

On 22 March 2013, Gray sent this text to Butler: "You have destroyed my entire life and I have nothing no one.

"You are doing all these evil things because I don't like me or fancy me!

"That isn't a reason when kids are involved.

"We should tell the trust that I faked named as you came to hospital twice and attacked me twice while I was in hospital but I covered up for you again."

Mrs Justice King said she had seen a note written by Gray headed "Ellie's behaviour".

"Constantly manipulative and won't be helpful," it read. "Feel you can't trust her."

The judge said Ellie had been five when it was written.

The judge said Gray had repeatedly sought to ingratiate herself with Butler in a pitiable and wretched way at the expense of her children.

On 8 March 2013, Gray wrote: "I am sorry I woke you. I had call from recruitment woman and had to go in front room from kitchen so you couldn't hear constant talking.

"I would rather jump off a sky scraper than wake you and get this.

"I know how tired you are and tried to do everything I could to help you."

And on 23 August, Gray wrote: "I really do want you more than anything I ever wanted even my kids."

Meanwhile, a note on Gray's computer hard drive said: "I am with a bully man who beats me and tells me I am ugly and fat and hurts me all the time urgent magic spell to stop his hate."

Mrs Justice King said Butler spoke of Ellie and the sibling in a "shocking way".

One text said: "ur mental and prob r to blame for Ellie."

More than a week before Ellie's death, Butler sent this text: "I can't cope. Woke up in a rage already...been in place so many times. My hands are shaking. One more mistake I'm going to lose it. You're pushing my hate."

Mrs Justice King said Ellie had been admitted to hospital on 28 October 2013 after suffering a "significant head injury" when in the "sole care" of her father.

She said medical experts had concluded Ellie had been hurt as a result of "one or more severe blunt impacts".

They said her head had either struck a "rigid surface" or been "hit with a heavy blunt instrument".