Chantelle Flynn sentenced after covering for Craig Dawick who murdered baby son

Chantelle Flynn, whose eight-month-old baby son Leyton was murdered by his father Craig Dawick, has been sentenced to a two year jail term, suspended for two years, after being convicted of allowing or causing the death of a child and perverting the course of justice.

Flynn, 25, was "besotted" with Dawick and knew he was violent but covered for him by lying to paramedics and police about where he was when Leyton was injured.

Sentencing Flynn at Manchester Crown Court the judge said: "It is important to refer to the psychological report which concluded that the abuse you suffered in childhood was likely to have impacted your ability to deal with Craig Dawick.

"You were especially vulnerable and it is a concern that you suffered from battered woman syndrome."

He added: "Sending you to prison would run the risk of negating the fact that you are making a real effort to live a constructive life. I do not consider you a danger and it is quite clear you bitterly regret this tragedy."

Dawick, 25, was jailed for life, with a minimum of 21 years, for the 'sadistic' murder of his baby son - Judge Sir John Royce said the murder "defies belief".

Leyton suffered injuries described by an expert as among the worst he had seen in more than 300 child injury cases. They included stamp injuries to his groin, injuries associated with vigorous shaking and severe internal injuries caused by punches.

Scans showed multiple and unsurvivable injuries to his brain and medical life support was withdrawn two days later in hospital.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/112474/craig-dawick-jailed-for-life-for-sadistic-murder-of-baby-son