Mum and boyfriend deny murdering son, two, 'who suffered 39 injuries in the four weeks leading his death'

A MUM and her boyfriend today denied murdering her two-year-old son who suffered 39 injuries in the four weeks leading to his death.

Kyrell Matthews was found in cardiac arrest at his home in Thornton Heath, South London, in October 2019.

He had suffered 39 rib fractures and died from blunt force trauma caused by "forceful squeezing, punching, kicking or stamping", it is alleged.

The tragic toddler was allegedly attacked on five occasions in the four weeks leading to his death.

His mum Phylesia Shirley, 23, and partner Kemar Brown, 27, today denied murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.

Anne Whyte, QC, prosecuting, earlier told the Old Bailey: "Shirley is the mother of Kyrell. Kemar Brown was and is in a relationship with Ms Shirley and spent large amounts of time at Shirley's address. Both therefore, were in a caring role to Kyrell. 

"It is clear from a combination of evidence, including significant pathological evidence, Kyrell had suffered significant blunt force trauma to his abdomen.

"These injuries had been caused on five separate occasions. 

'BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA INJURIES'

"The trauma which led to death is considered to have been caused by any one or a combination of forceful squeezing, punching, kicking or stamping.

"Kyrell suffered 39 blunt force trauma injuries to various parts of his body."

The pair will stand trial on January 5, 2022.

Shirley was heavily pregnant when she first appeared in court in December and was due to give birth last month.

She worked for Croydon Council in the children’s services department at the time of Kyrell's death but left her job early last year.

A spokeswoman for the Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership said previously: “We cannot comment on active court proceedings, and as required by law when a child has died or been seriously harmed, we will be carrying out a safeguarding practice review. “

Shirley and Brown were charged in December following an investigation by the Met Police.

Scotland Yard said: "Police began an investigation after the death of a two-year-old child who was found in cardiac arrest at a house in Thornton Heath on 20 October 2019.

"He was subsequently identified as Kyrell Matthews."

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