Grandparents who murdered toddler after campaign of horrific abuse will not have their jail sentences increased

Grandparents’ life sentences for toddler’s murder remain unchanged

A pair of grandparents convicted of killing their grandson after enduring severe abuse will remain with their life sentences unchanged. The duo, Michael Ives and Kerry Ives, both in their late 40s, were sentenced to 23 and 17 years in prison, respectively, for the fatal act that claimed the life of two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths.

The Tragic Fate of Ethan Ives-Griffiths

Ethan collapsed in his grandparents’ home in Flintshire, North Wales, in August 2021, with symptoms of extreme dehydration and severe underweight. He was visibly marked with bruises and other injuries, and his condition led to a catastrophic head trauma that proved fatal.

“Ethan was ‘painfully thin’ and weighed just 10 kilograms. He had sustained more than 40 injuries to his body, as well as catastrophic brain trauma,” revealed during the post-mortem examination.

CCTV footage captured critical moments, showing Michael Ives holding his grandson by the arm and delivering a punch after securing him in a car seat. Additional clips displayed the boy walking in the garden with a peculiar, unsteady gait, potentially indicating the early effects of brain injuries.

To further humiliate Ethan, Michael Ives would make him stand with his hands on his head, as noted by the judge. The child had been placed on the protection register, requiring regular check-ins every 10 days, but his mother informed a social worker that Ethan was napping just days before his death.

The Sentencing Decision

Bill Emlyn Jones KC, representing the Solicitor General, argued before the Court of Appeal in London that the sentences were ‘unduly lenient.’ However, Lord Justice Popplewell, Mr Justice Sweeting, and Judge Penelope Moreland determined the penalties were justified.

“Ethan was a ‘brave’ and ‘resilient’ boy with a ‘strong character,’ and his grandparents ‘did not like him standing up for himself,’” stated the judge in his ruling.

The panel found no grounds to alter the sentences, with Lord Justice Popplewell emphasizing that the sentencing judge, Mr Justice Griffiths, had clearly considered the circumstances. He noted that the minimum terms were appropriate, given the aggravating factors of the crime and the prior abuse.

The Mother’s Role

Ethan’s mother, Shannon Ives, 28, of Rhes-y-Cae near Holywell, was convicted of causing or allowing his death and sentenced to 12 years in prison. Her legal team, led by Gordon Cole KC, challenged the sentence, claiming it was ‘too long’ and that personal mitigating factors were not sufficiently acknowledged.

“The judges gave careful consideration to the arguments but were unpersuaded that they justified ‘interfering with the sentence,’” concluded Lord Justice Popplewell.

Ethan had last been seen with his family at Broughton Retail Park on August 13, 2021, just days before his tragic collapse. The shopping trolley’s footage shows him seated in the child seat, marking the final moments of his life before the incident that led to his death.