Grandmother of Elsie Scully-Hicks says adopted dad SHOULD be hanged for cruelty
THE grandmother of battered and murdered child Elsie Scully-Hicks said today that her adoptive father should hang for his cruelty.
Grandmother of Elsie Scully-Hicks says adopted dad Matthew should hang for his cruelty
Sian O’Brien, 51, said gay Matthew Scully-Hicks “got off lightly” with a life jail sentence for killing 18-month-old Elsie.
She slated social services for failing to spot Elsie’s extensive injuries during 15 visits to Scully-Hicks’ home near Cardiff.
Scully-Hicks, 31, must serve a minimum 18 years for murdering Elsie two weeks after formally adopting her.
Ms O’Brien said: “It’s about justice for Shayla [Elsie’s original name].
“I think Scully-Hicks has got off quite lightly.”
Asked if he ought to pay for the crime with his life, she said: “He should have.”
Matthew Scully-Hicks calls 999 to report daughter 'isn't breathing'
I think Scully-Hicks has got off quite lightly
Elsie died on May 29 last year, four days after being violently shaken by Scully-Hicks.
The fitness instructor had subjected Elsie to seven months of assaults and beatings.
Her injuries included a fractured skull, three cracked ribs, internal bleeding and broken bones.
Elsie died on May 29 last year, four days after being violently shaken by Scully-Hicks
Ms O’Brien, who has adopted Elsie’s older brother and sister, spoke of her frustration at being denied the chance to care for Elsie too.
She revealed: “I said to social services, ‘I’ve got her brother and sister here with me, why can’t I have her?’
“They said, ‘It’s easier to get a baby adopted than it is for older children’.”