Leila Borrington: Woman who filmed stepson, 3, as he lay dying from brain injury jailed

Published

3 years ago

March 16, 2023

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A woman who filmed her three-year-old stepson as he lay dying from a brain injury has been jailed for 15 years for manslaughter, assault and causing grievous bodily harm.

Leila Borrington, 23, killed Harvey Borrington, who had severe non-verbal autism, by slapping him “multiple times” in what the judge said was a “sustained violent assault”.

The stepmother was cleared of murder last month but found guilty of unlawful killing, wounding and assault.

The court heard Borrington had also attacked Harvey twice in the four months before his death which left him with a broken arm and marks on his face.

Nottingham Crown Court heard that Borrington lied about what had happened to Harvey when paramedics were called to her home in Jacksdale, near Kirkby-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire in August 2021.

She had claimed Harvey “fell backwards” off a one-seater leather sofa at home.

But the court heard she had inflicted “unsurvivable” injuries, including a skull fracture, on Harvey and sent a text message to the boy’s father that said: “Why does this happen to me?”

Harvey, who spent most weekends with Borrington, died in hospital on 9 August, two days after paramedics were called and found him “deeply unconscious”, “unresponsive” and with “abnormal body posture”.

Passing sentence on Thursday, Mr Justice Nicklin told Borrington: “You were 21 when the first offence was committed and 22 when you assaulted and killed Harvey.”

He told Borrington: “During the trial we saw video footage of Harvey playing with his toys and placing items into the dishwasher.

“Within less than 30 minutes, further video footage showed Harvey unconscious on the living room floor.

“Precisely what happened to Harvey only you know.”

Prior to sentencing, Harvey’s mother, Katie Holroyd, read a victim statement to the court, in which she paid tribute to her son as “the most loving little boy anyone could have wished for”.

“Harvey’s life was cruelly ended when he was only three years old,” she told the court.

“To this day I cannot bear to think of him lying on the floor dying with her filming him and delaying getting medical help.”

Describing Harvey’s death as a recurring nightmare from which she will never be able to wake, Ms Holroyd added: “We will always treasure the short time we had to spend with him.

“She [Borrington] knew what she had done to him and she could have said so from the start.”

Instead, Borrington had “chosen to lie, no doubt to try and save herself”, Ms Holroyd said.

Prosecutor Jonas Hankin KC claimed that Borrington targeted Harvey, who communicated through hand gestures and a handful of words, because he was unable to articulate when he was in pain.

The judge also took into account the “history” of the use of violence by Borrington and her immediate response after Harvey was assaulted.

Text messages sent by Borrington after she had broken Harvey’s arm in April 2021 showed “a shocking lack of care and concern” for the child, the judge also noted.

UK

Should Prince Andrew Drive be renamed? Here’s what residents think

Published

32 mins ago

November 1, 2025

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Should Prince Andrew Drive be renamed? Here's what residents think

“I hate it,” Shirley told us.

Every time she has to give her address, it leads to a snide remark or joke at her expense.

She’s lived on Prince Andrew Drive in Telford, Shropshire, for 35 years.

As the national scandal around Andrew Mountbatten Windsor – as he is now called – has deepened, it has become increasingly embarrassing for her.

Andrew latest: Virginia Giuffre’s brother calls for investigation

A few years ago, another resident started a petition to change the name of the road, and somebody covered up part of the street sign.

“I think we should change it,” Shirley told us, “but don’t ask me what to.”

After a few minutes weighing up the options, she settled on Prince George Drive.

“At least that looks to the future,” she added.

Linda Boden has lived on the road even longer – she and husband Phil moved here after getting married 45 years ago.

“We have actually had the conversation this morning, that the name of this road will get changed,” Linda said.

Phil told us he wasn’t bothered about the name. “It’s just a name, it’s not the man… I can’t tell you what I think [about him] without swearing you know.”

Cheryl, who lives nearby, told us what really mattered to her were the victims of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal – particularly the late Virginia Giuffre.

“That poor girl needs justice,” she said. “It is ridiculous it has gone on this long to be perfectly honest. That poor family are still living with it.”

Julie Harper lives on the adjacent road, called Queen Elizabeth Way, and is more than happy with her road name.

She told Sky News that the King had made the “best decision ever” by removing his brother’s titles.

I asked where her sympathies lay within this long-running royal scandal and Julie was unequivocal.

“With anybody who has been sexually exploited,” she said bluntly.

Julie believes Princess Anne Drive would be a better name for her neighbours’ road.

“She’s one of the better ones,” she added.

Changing the road name would be a logistical headache for local authorities and residents, with some telling us it did not bother them and they would not fancy the extra paperwork to amend things such as household bills and driving licences.

But Postman Gary told us every time he’s making deliveries on Prince Andrew Drive, he feels for the residents.

“We have a little giggle because we know they don’t want it named that anymore and I wouldn’t either if I lived here. It’s probably time it changed.”

We did not find anyone on Prince Andrew Drive who disagreed with the King’s decision to remove his titles and oust him from his home in Windsor.

The monarchy needs to retain the support of the public across the UK – that’s one of the reasons the King has taken such decisive action at this point in the scandal.

UK

Ex-sergeant major jailed for sexually assaulting teenage soldier Jaysley Beck

Published

32 mins ago

November 1, 2025

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Ex-sergeant major jailed for sexually assaulting teenage soldier Jaysley Beck

A former sergeant major has been jailed for six months for sexually assaulting a teenage soldier, who later took her own life after being bombarded with messages by another senior colleague.

Michael Webber, who was a 39-year-old Battery Sergeant Major at the time, previously pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault. He was sentenced at Bulford Court Martial Centre in Salisbury on Friday.

He had assaulted 19-year-old Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, from Cumbria, at a work social event in July 2021.

Gunner Beck, who had joined the Army at 16, said that Webber had “made a pass” at her, put his hand between her legs and “pinned her down” while trying to kiss her.

She pushed him away and spent the night locked in her car before making a complaint to her superiors in the morning.

Webber was given a minor sanction, involving him being interviewed and writing Gunner Beck a letter of apology, but the incident was not reported to police.

An inquest into her death heard she was later bombarded with messages by bombardier Ryan Mason, another senior colleague, who has since left the army, who expressed his love for her.

The 19-year-old’s body was found in her room at Larkhill barracks, Wiltshire, on 15 December, 2021. An inquest ruled that her death was a suicide.

During the inquest, coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled that “on the balance of probabilities” the Army’s failure to take appropriate action “more than minimally” contributed to her death.

An army report published in October 2023 also described Gunner Beck being exposed to “an intense period of unwelcome behaviour”, and said it was “almost certain this was a causal factor” in her death.

Wiltshire Police investigated a complaint of harassment submitted by Gunner Beck’s family after her death, relating to Mr Mason’s behaviour, but found the evidence did not support a criminal harassment case.

Gunner Beck’s mother Leighann McCready said outside the court after Webber’s sentencing: “No sentence will ever be enough.

“While he serves his time, it’s us who will live with a life sentence for what he did. And now the army failed to protect her afterwards.”

Ms McCready said her daughter “did everything right, but was failed by the system that was meant to support and protect her”.

“She followed the rules, but those responsible didn’t follow as they failed to act. Failed to report and failed to follow up,” she added.

Ms McCready said she will continue fighting for “real change” in the British Army after Gunner Beck’s death: “Not hollow promises or recycled words that have already failed our daughter and continue to fail others.

“Real action means giving soldiers somewhere truly independent to report serious complaints without fear or favour.

“We cannot bring our daughter back. But I will keep fighting to make sure her life leads to change.”

Minister for veterans and people Louise Sandher-Jones said the sentencing of Webber was an “important step on the journey to justice”.

She said: “We are honouring Jaysley’s legacy by bringing about crucial reform, to provide a place where people are proud to work and have faith in the service justice system.

“The Army has accepted the failings identified by the service inquiry in full and has also responded to the recommendations to improve service life across its culture, policies and practices.”

Major General Jon Swift, assistant chief of the general staff, said: “We will always be profoundly sorry for the failings that were identified at Jaysley’s inquest in February.”

He said the Army acknowledges that Webber’s sentencing “has come too late for their beloved daughter”, adding: “We are sorry we didn’t listen to Jaysley when she first reported her assault. We are determined to make sure the same mistakes don’t happen again.”

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

UK

Premier League’s Boxing Day fixture decision branded ‘thoughtless’

Published

32 mins ago

November 1, 2025

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Premier League's Boxing Day fixture decision branded 'thoughtless'

The Premier League has confirmed only one game will take place on Boxing Day this year.

It said the expansion of European competition was behind the move to reduce what is traditionally a packed schedule.

The fixture will be Manchester United‘s home game against Newcastle United at 8pm.

The Premier League said in a statement: “The Premier League would like to acknowledge the circumstances that have led to a reduced number of matches on Boxing Day this season, impacting an important tradition in English football.

“There are now several challenges to Premier League fixture scheduling rooted in the expansion of European club competitions – which led to a revision of our domestic calendar ahead of last season, including changes to the FA Cup.

“This ultimately left the Premier League as a 33-weekend competition – fewer than previous seasons, despite being a 380-match competition since 1995.”

It added that this year’s Boxing Day falling on a Friday had also impacted the fixture list.

The remaining fixtures will be spread over the weekend, with seven on Saturday and two on Sunday.

‘Special arrangements have been made’

The statement added: “With fewer weekends to work with, the League is bound by how the calendar falls.

“The League can give an assurance that next season there will be more Premier League matches on Boxing Day – as the date falls on a Saturday.

“As with previous years – and in keeping with our commitment to clubs – special arrangements have been made to allow more time between games played across the festive period.

“This will allow greater time for players to recover, with the rest periods between rounds 18, 19 and 20 being increased to ensure that no club plays within 60 hours of another match.”

‘Thoughtless and ridiculous’

The Football Supporters’ Association criticised the move in a strongly-worded statement on X.

It read: “The Premier League’s TV selections for Xmas and NY have finally been announced a fortnight after they were supposed to be.

“Newcastle United’s game at Old Trafford – the longest trip of that game week – has been selected for a ridiculous 8pm kick-off on Boxing Day. Thoughtless.”