The horrific abuse of baby Amy

**Unamused Cat** · October 21st, 2008, 02:55 PM

James Howson, Tina Hunt and Amy Howson

A father who snapped his baby daughter's back in two after causing her months of pain and suffering is facing life in jail after being found guilty of her murder.

Jobless James Howson, 25, twisted the arms and legs of his 16-month-old daughter Amy before breaking her spine over his knee or the back of a chair.

At his trial, Howson tried to blame the tot's death on his partner Tina Hunt, 26, who was pregnant with the couple's second child but the jury at Leeds Crown Court saw through his lies and took just two-and-a-half hours to reach its verdict.

It never emerged in court just why Howson killed Amy - she suffered 40 injuries in all - and it is unclear as to what part Hunt played in the tragedy.

But the jury was told the couple, from Edlington, Doncaster hardly spoke after falling out a few months before the baby's death and Howson apparently did not want another child.

Jurors were told that Tina 'wore the trousers' in the relationship and Howson had little experience in bringing up children.

In the last two months before Amy was found dead at home on December 23 last year, the prosecution claimed Howson punched, slapped and squeezed Amy, causing seven fractures, before breaking her back.

Prosecutor Gary Burrell QC said of the fatal attack: 'He snapped her back in two at waist level as though he held her over his knee or thigh or possibly a chair or sofa back with her back downwards.

'He then used extreme force on her body so as to hyperextend the back and cause a complete break at the level of the first lumbar vertebra. Her back was literally snapped in two.'

The prosecution claimed Tina Hunt must have known about the assaults by Howson and she failed to take reasonable steps to protect the child by contacting the police or social services.

Howson was found guilty of murder and cruelty by assaulting Amy. He had admitted another cruelty offence in not seeking medical help for Amy.

Hunt admitted allowing the death of a child and one offence of cruelty before Howson's trial started.

Both defendants will be sentenced on Friday by Judge Mrs Justice Cox who said it was a 'serious and distressing' case before discharging the jury.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...il-murder.html

This story just makes me sick.

**MISSanthropic** · October 21st, 2008, 03:46 PM

Sorry excuse for human beings. Wastes. This story disgusts me, but I feel a bit relieved to be reading about it after he has already been found guilty. Here's hoping they both get the punishment they deserve, baby Amy deserves that much.

**Just my luck sucks** · October 21st, 2008, 03:48 PM

The court heard Amy was thin, severely malnourished, dehydrated and covered in bruises.

Just before she died she had suffered a serious injury to her forehead and had bleeding on the brain.She had three old fractures to her left leg, two to her right arm, one to her left arm and a broken rib.

She would have been unable to move without severe discomfort and according to witnesses was 'screaming and crying' with pain, did not smile and looked pale.

When arrested Howson told officers the child had fallen out of bed the previous night and banged her head.

Tina Hunt admitted allowing the death of a child and one offence of cruelty

He also claimed some of the injuries could have occurred when the family's pet Staffordshire bull terrier got into bed with the child.

At her death Amy weighed the same as she did ten months earlier.

She was last seen by health workers in March, 2007 but when her assessments were due the health team could not gain access to the couple's house and medical appointments were missed.

Howson told police he was looking after Amy because Hunt had morning sickness. She had fallen out of bed onto a foam mattress he placed alongside and banged her forehead.

He later took her downstairs, smoked some cannabis and cradled the baby in his arms until they both fell asleep. He woke up the next morning and found Amy was not breathing.

But in court he blamed Hunt saying she could have caused the baby's injuries while he was asleep. 'I didn't inflict any injuries to my daughter at all,' he said.

Hell isn't hot enough for these two

**RockRGrl** · October 21st, 2008, 04:28 PM

Fucking pieces of shit!
I'll never understand how people can hurt a baby :(

**Silvahalo** · October 21st, 2008, 04:37 PM

Considering the tortures life this poor baby endured it is no wonder she was crying, not smiling and looking pale...dear God, she was suffering...
There is no limit to my imagination the torture I want inflicted on these vile creatures.

I believe that hell will be different for every condemned soul who makes it's way there...there will be no end to their suffering...this brings me comfort because I truly do believe this. I imagine demons eating them alive while suffering their fate time and time again for eternity.

Baby Amy...my heart breaks for you...I know you are now cradled by the angels in heaven but still I wish that even for a moment you would have known love and comfort during your short life. Rest sweet baby girl your pain and sorrow is no longer...kisses.

**LissaLou** · October 21st, 2008, 05:12 PM

This is so horrible. I don't think this one will leave my mind for some time..
RIP Angel Amy

**blue_zombie** · October 21st, 2008, 05:37 PM

This is why I hate people, because they are capable of inflicting such cruelty on innocent victims. They need to die. My God that poor child.

**witzah** · October 21st, 2008, 08:04 PM

this just kills me. i cant get over the pure innocence of a baby & the absolute trust they put into their caregivers. what confusion it must be to look to your caregivers for love, support & help from the pain - only to be getting the pain frorm them. it cant compute.

the only thing that makes me feel remotely better is reading others comments sharing in my disgust.

i pray this douchebag gets his own little hell started early in prison. my head aches just thinking of the pain he caused poor baby amy - why???

**Owd Scrat** · October 21st, 2008, 08:41 PM

I can't stop crying about the pain, fear and agony this angel suffered. My heart is aching and Im completely helpless to do anything. The look on her face. Ive been crying for a hour thinking of how anyone can inflict this sick abuse on a trusting innocent child. Im not sure I can keep reading these kinds of posts, its causing me intense anguish and hate.

**Lizard** · October 21st, 2008, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Owd Scrat

Im not sure I can keep reading these kinds of posts, its causing me intense anguish and hate.

Owd Scrat, many of us find we have to step away for a while when the stories get to be too much. Go kiss a baby, love a pet, call a beloved relative, and take care of yourself.

**maryhaze** · October 21st, 2008, 09:07 PM

so the dog starved that poor baby too???????? wtf, can't we please just kill both of those fucktwits now???????

**ImmortalOne** · October 21st, 2008, 11:59 PM

16 months old... I look at my sweet Nadezdha and I can't imagine what this poor baby went through. I can't. Even the slightest pain or bruise or bump she cries. Even the smallest little "owie" makes tears well in her eyes and her stand there with her arms out for me crying. What this little angel went through is horrible. I don't understand how people could do this to not just an innocent BABY but their own child. I don't know how the mother can stand by and let this sorry excuse of a bag of bones do these things to her baby girl. This is a child she carried for 10 months in her body. Did she think it was a burden? Was she soo busy keeping her legs spread for him (who though he claimed he didn't want another child apparently did NOTHING to prevent breeding again).

I only hope that their baby that is due, or was due, is in the hands of a loving family who will raise him the way he should be. Who will teach him/her how to love and how to nurture. That way, if the guards and other prisoners don't kill this asshole... when that new baby is old enough, maybe we will read a story about how he blew daddy's brains out.... think self defense after the fact would be a good excuse? I do.

**Pixie** · October 22nd, 2008, 12:19 AM

Ohh this story hurts my heart so much. That poor angel. :(

**Owd Scrat** · October 22nd, 2008, 12:22 AM

Originally Posted by Lizard

Owd Scrat, many of us find we have to step away for a while when the stories get to be too much. Go kiss a baby, love a pet, call a beloved relative, and take care of yourself.

And I did just that right after I posted! I went and laid down next to my sleeping son (he'll be 3 end of Jan.) and cuddled up next to him. Smelled his hair, felt his warmth and listened to his breathing. It was very comforting and helped the pain.

Thanks Lizard for the warm advice

**Nell** · October 22nd, 2008, 12:29 AM

I cannott comment on this story. This baby looks to much like my Serendipity. I hope this fucker dies a slow painful death.

**Unamused Cat** · October 22nd, 2008, 01:51 AM

This story was hard to post. That poor lil' one looks so weary in that photo. I hope life in prison in the UK is long enough. :(

**Peeperann** · October 22nd, 2008, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by silvahalo68

Considering the tortures life this poor baby endured it is no wonder she was crying, not smiling and looking pale...dear God, she was suffering...
There is no limit to my imagination the torture I want inflicted on these vile creatures.

I believe that hell will be different for every condemned soul who makes it's way there...there will be no end to their suffering...this brings me comfort because I truly do believe this. I imagine demons eating them alive while suffering their fate time and time again for eternity.

Baby Amy...my heart breaks for you...I know you are now cradled by the angels in heaven but still I wish that even for a moment you would have known love and comfort during your short life. Rest sweet baby girl your pain and sorrow is no longer...kisses.

I too believe there is a special hell waiting for them. And I pray it's exactly like you described it.

And please tell me she will never get near the new baby that's coming....

**Unamused Cat** · October 24th, 2008, 07:07 PM

Sentencing update:

A man who killed his baby daughter by snapping her spine after months of abuse was jailed for a minimum term of 22 years on Friday.

Leeds Crown Court gave a life sentence to James Howson, 25, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire for the murder of 16-month-old Amy Howson while her mother Tina Hunt, 26, got a 12-month suspended sentence after admitting child cruelty.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081024...t_081024141140

It's not enough. :(

**TheLittleFriend** · October 24th, 2008, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by Owd Scrat

. Im not sure I can keep reading these kinds of posts, its causing me intense anguish and hate.

There are times I have to turn the computer off. Take my mind off the terrible crimes. I go and hug my boy and kiss my baby girl. I realize I am so lucky to have two beauitful children who love me and I love them. These fucking stupid people think nothing of Amy but themselves.

What a beauitful baby. Shame on him, for taking her life in his hands. Shame him for taking his angry out to her because he doesn't want another baby. Shame on the mother for being a failure. Shame on them.

**Silvahalo** · October 24th, 2008, 11:34 PM

The only comfort I get from reading this sentence is their hell will be eternal...nevertheless her on earth 22 yrs. is a joke. I hope his remaining days in prison are of torture and anguish.

**Dakota Valkyrie** · October 26th, 2008, 03:41 PM

Teacher's chilling warning over baby murderer
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/...aby.4629534.jp

A teacher warned that a man found guilty of killing his baby daughter by snapping her spine following months of abuse would eventually commit murder.

Adrian Waterman QC, defending, told the court that when Howson was expelled from school aged 14, a worried teacher noted in a report: "This boy will commit a murder before too long. I have never seen a such a disturbed young man."

The court also heard that as a child, he often subjected girls to violent, unprovoked attacks. He also had a track record of physically abusing women as he got older, yet had no previous convictions.

The judge said Hunt [the mother] was in a violent and controlling relationship, and was unable to tell anyone what was going on.

Howson had even set up a closed circuit TV camera in order to prevent health visitors coming to check on Amy.

She also said Hunt was in the lowest one per cent band of intelligence. At one point during the legal process, prosecutors tried to pursue a murder charge against Hunt, but it was rejected.

The judge said to him: "I have not seen the slightest evidence of remorse from you for what you did."

Det Supt Carl Sturgess said that, although Hunt had a low intelligence and appeared to be scared of Howson, she should have acted.
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Even if "mom" was as dumb as a stump, shouldn't her relatives (or his?) been aware of the abuse?? I hope this is the end of the line for both families and there are no more branches in the family trees.

**Sister Iroz** · October 26th, 2008, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Unamused Cat

Sentencing update:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081024...t_081024141140

It's not enough. :(

You have got to be fucking kidding he should have gotten a death sentence and done by a firing squad without a blind fold. Hope someone breaks his neck, uses him for a punching bag, etc. in prison.

This beautiful baby Amy did not deserve a demented, disturbing, malicious, fuck up father or a mother who did not intervene. Amy deserved to be loved, fed, rocked, bathed, nurtured, protected, read to, played with and the list goes on. I am so sorry baby Amy and you are blessed.

What is up with the mother, if a teacher could see evil in the father when he was in school, surely the mother knew. She is just as much at fault and I hope she is punished and the other baby taken away from her.