Babysitter convicted of murdering two-year-old

Teesside Crown Court heard Suzanne Holdsworth, 34, snapped while minding Kyle Fisher at her home in Millpool Close, Hartlepool, in July last year.

The mother of two had denied murder, claiming Kyle suffered a fit.

The jury heard Kyle suffered injuries similar to those that would have been inflicted if a child had been thrown from a car at 60mph.

Mr Justice Grigson told the jury Holdsworth would be sentenced to life.

He said: "As far as sentence is concerned, I am bound to impose a life sentence but I have to make recommendations as to the appropriate minimum term."

A statement from the youngster's family said: "Today we have got justice for Kyle but sadly it will never bring him back to us.

"You do not expect your children to die before you and with his death our whole lives were changed and thrown into turmoil and darkness.

"It plunged us into a world that was unreal. We were left helpless. We simply could not believe what happens. Words can not express what we feel for Holdsworth."

The court heard Holdsworth was asked to babysit while the child's 19-year-old single mother was at a nightclub.

Andrew Robertson QC, prosecuting, told the jury the injuries were "similar to those suffered by a child thrown from a car at 60mph".

Holdsworth maintained she had not injured the child and claimed he had suffered a fit as they sat watching TV.

The court heard noone knew why Holdsworth assaulted the young boy.

Holdsworth told the jury that she and her two daughters "adored" Kyle and she would never harm him.

The court heard that Kyle, of nearby Troutpool Close, and his mother often visited Holdsworth's nearby home and that the child had stayed over four or five times.

The youngster was rushed to hospital after the incident, but died two days later.

Holdsworth collapsed into the arms of warders when the jury found her guilty of murder.

Mr Justice Grigson remanded her in custody for pre-sentence reports.