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In this episode, I tell the story of Teddy Tilston, a 2-year-old boy killed in Birkenhead, Merseyside, on March 1, 2017.
Teddy was being cared for by 28-year-old Craig Smith, his mum's partner, when the emergency services were called that afternoon. Smith claimed Teddy had drowned in the bath after being left for just 30 seconds, but the paramedics attending the scene noticed that he was bone dry.
Teddy's twin sister, Cassidy, was already at Arrowe Park Hospital after Smith informed their mum, Ashleigh Willett, that she'd knocked herself unconscious after running into a table. When examined, it was revealed Cassidy had several other injuries, including a broken wrist she may have received up to six months earlier.
A jury at Liverpool Crown Court found Smith guilty of murder in November 2017, and he was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years. Willett was found guilty of failing to seek medical assistance for her twin children and received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
**The following is NOT a sponsored message**
If you or someone you know has experienced child abuse or are concerned that someone you know is, please consider contacting one of the following charities:
Childline: 0800 1111
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC): 0808 800 5000
Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse (HAVOCA): Fill in a contact form at havoca.org
National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC): 0808 801 0331
Intro music:
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'
linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic
References:
Barlow, E. (2017a, October 25). Teddy Tilston death: Mother breaks down in tears as toddler’s catalogue of injuries read out in court. The Independent. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/teddy-tilston-death-craig-smith-ashleigh-willett-birkenhead-wirral-a8018501.html
Barlow, E. (2017b, November 3). Teddy Tilston murder: Man who beat partner’s two-year-old son to death in fit of rage jailed for 17 years. The Independent. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/teddy-tilston-murder-craig-smith-jailed-17-years-beat-toddler-death-birkenhead-a8034961.html
BBC News. (2017, December 18). Teddy Tilston murder: Mum spared jail for child cruelty. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-42401651
Elkin, M. (2020a, January 14). Child abuse extent and nature, England and Wales: year ending March 2019. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/childabuseextentandnatureenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2019
Elkin, M. (2020b, March 5). Child abuse and the criminal justice system, England and Wales: year ending March 2019. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/childabuseandthecriminaljusticesystemenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2019
“Get your hands off him” - nurse had to tell murder accused to let go of Teddy’s body; stepdad punched wall and tried to perform cpr on two-year-old, court hears.(2017, October 7). The Free Library. Retrieved November 6, 2023, from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/%27Get+your+hands+off+him%27+-+nurse+had+to+tell+murder+accused+to+let+go. . .-a0508388917
Gittins, R. (2018, May 17). Step dad who murdered toddler Teddy Tilston moans that his trial was unfair. Liverpool Echo. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/step-dad-who-murdered-toddler-14670417
Half a million children suffer abuse in the UK every year. (n.d.). NSPCC. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2022/childhood-day/
Houghton, T. (2018, May 18). Teddy Tilston murder could not have been forseen says report. Liverpool Echo. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/murder-toddler-teddy-tilston-step-14676961
Humphries, J. (2017a, October 25). Man accused of murdering Teddy Tilston “was a nice guy”, says tot’s uncle. Liverpool Echo. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/man-accused-murdering-teddy-tilston-13812181
Humphries, J. (2017b, November 5). Sister of murdered toddler Teddy Tilston “had to have all teeth removed” in care. Liverpool Echo. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/sister-murdered-toddler-teddy-tilston-13858523
Humphries, J. (2017c, November 7). Brutal child murderer Craig Smith being “terrorised in Walton jail.”Liverpool Echo. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/brutal-child-murderer-craig-smith-13870452
Humphries, J. (2017d, December 18). Mum of Teddy Tilston murdered by his step-dad faces sentence for child cruelty. Liverpool Echo. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/mum-teddy-tilston-sentencing-cruelty-14052788
Humphries, J. (2018, January 8). Child killer Craig Smith could have sentence increased after Attorney General deems it too soft. Liverpool Echo. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/child-killer-craig-smith-could-14128933
Jones, L. (2017, November 2). UPDATE: Police welcome sentencing of Wirral man Craig Smith over the murder of two year-old Teddy Tilston. Wirral Globe. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/15636699.update-police-welcome-sentencing-of-wirral-man-craig-smith-over-the-murder-of-two-year-old-teddy-tilston/
Mayo, N. (2018, January 18). Teddy Tilston murderer Craig Smith will NOT have his sentence increased says top judge. Liverpool Echo. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/teddy-tilston-murderer-craig-smith-14173000
Parry, J. (2017, December 18). Moment mother of murdered Teddy Tilston walks free from court. Liverpool Echo. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/moment-mother-murdered-teddy-tilston-14054755
Roughley, L. (2017, April 7). Wirral couple appear at Crown Court following death of toddler Teddy Tilston. Wirral Globe. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/15211097.wirral-couple-appear-at-crown-court-following-death-of-toddler-teddy-tilston/
Suspended sentence for woman whose toddler was murdered by her boyfriend. (2017, December 18). ITV News. Retrieved November 6, 2023, from https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2017-12-18/suspended-sentence-for-woman-whose-toddler-was-murdered-by-her-boyfriend
Teddy Tilston death: Mother “could not remember” bruises. (2017, October 24). BBC News. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-41740126
Teddy Tilston death: Mother’s boyfriend jailed for murder. (2017, November 2). BBC News. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-41848341
Teddy Tilston death: Toddler was subject to “extreme violence.” (2017, October 4). BBC News. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-41498616
Teddy Tilston murder accused Craig Smith “devastated.” (2017, October 19). BBC News. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-41685934
Teddy Tilston murder accused Craig Smith “wanted to die.” (2017, October 18). BBC News. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-41668721
Teddy Tilston murder: Mum spared jail for child cruelty. (2017, December 18). BBC News. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-42401651
Thomas, J. (2017, March 20). Heartbroken family of “murdered” toddler pay tribute to their “little angel” after overwhelming support. The Mirror. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/heartbroken-family-murdered-toddler-pay-10060809
Tilston, T. (2017, March 8). Teddy, Cassidy And Darcie Tilston. GoFundMe. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.gofundme.com/f/cassidy-and-darcie
