Man sentenced to life imprisonment after killing girlfriend’s 5-year-old son
A Nigerian man who beat his girlfriend’s five-year-old son to death simply because he lost one of his trainers has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Marvyn Iheanacho, 39, of Wesley Avenue, Hounslow, but of Nigerian origin was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years (less time already served) at Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday, 25 July after being found guilty of the murder of Alex Malcolm.
Detective Chief Inspector Tony Lynes, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “Iheanacho subjected that poor little boy to a brutal assault after flying into an uncontrollable rage just because Alex lost one of his shoes.
“Afterwards Iheanacho came up with various stories to try to cover his tracks, insisted his girlfriend lie for him and attacked her when she tried to get medical help for her unconscious son.
“It is no surprise the jury easily saw through his stories and while nothing can bring Alex back, I hope Iheanacho’s conviction today provides his mother and father, and their families with some comfort.”
The court heard that on 20 November 2016, Iheanacho had spent the day with his girlfriend, Alex’s mother, and Alex. Later that afternoon he said he wanted to go out to get a DVD and see a friend and would take Alex with him.
CCTV showed the pair getting on a bus at 16:39hrs heading towards Rushley Green. They were then seen walking towards Mountsfield Park in Catford, arriving around 17:15hrs.
Read Also: Man bags 16 years jail sentence for killing 21 cats
They went to the play area.
Just before 18:00hrs, a witness heard Iheanacho shouting at Alex after he realised the boy had lost his shoe.
Through the park gates she saw Iheanacho and described him as “raging” at Alex who was keeping very quiet.
She then heard repeated booming noises and saw the gate vigorously moving as if it was being punched by someone.
The witness’s dogs began barking and the punching stopped. She saw Iheanacho bending over Alex and whispering to him before they moved away.
Another witness heard the loud banging, a male voice screaming about the lost shoe and a child’s voice fearfully saying sorry.
The prosecution said the banging noise was Iheanacho assaulting Alex.
