Man Killed Girlfriend's Child With Deadly Kick

A man who kicked his girlfriend's young daughter so hard she was thrown six feet across the room has been jailed for life and told he must serve at least 17 years for her murder.

Dean Harris, 20, hurt Amina Agboola so badly that her liver was torn in two, jurors at Cambridge Crown Court heard.

Harris, who had been going out with the two-year-old's mother for five months, killed Amina because he was frustrated at her soiling herself, prosecutors said.

The little girl was found by paramedics lying "like a rag doll" at her home in Scott Drive, Yaxley, near Peterborough.

Harris, who was found guilty of murder earlier this year, was left alone with the toddler last November despite social worker warnings that he had a history of domestic violence and was dangerous.

Amina's mother, Sarah Racqueman, was earlier given a suspended sentence after being acquitted of causing or allowing her daughter's death but convicted on two other charges of neglect in connection with other children.

Detective Inspector Alan Page, of Cambridgeshire Police, said: "This was a horrendous case.

"There can be no justification for using violence against any child and Harris will have to deal with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life.

"While no sentence can ease the pain felt by Amina's family, hopefully they will now be able to start moving on with their lives."

Amina's father, Reuben Agboola, said afterwards he was "pleased" with the sentence.

"However the grief feels like it has no end," he said.

"I think about Amina constantly. I still cry every day.

"I go through the motions of living but inside I am somewhere else thinking about my daughter all the time.

"No one understands the pain except those people who are experiencing it.

"My heart reaches out to every parent on earth who is suffering the loss of a child."