NSPCC comment on Ethan Ives-Griffiths murder trial verdict
Ethan's mother, Shannon Ives, 28, of Nant Garmon, Mold was convicted of causing or allowing his death.
All three were all found guilty of cruelty to a child.
A trial has taken place over six weeks at Mold Crown Court following the toddler's death in August 2021.
Shannon Ives, Michael Ives and Kerry Ives (Image: North Wales Police) The jury deliberated for almost seven hours before returning a unanimous verdict.
Following the guilty verdict returned by the jury, North Wales Police and Ethan's father spoke outside of court.
Now, the children's charity has said "no stone must be left unturned" in establishing whether more could've been done to save Ethan.
Carl Harris, Assistant Director at NSPCC Cymru, said: 'As grandparents to Ethan, Michael and Kerry Ives should have been there to love and protect him.
"Instead, they subjected the little boy to an appalling campaign of neglect and abuse leading up to the brutal final attack which killed him.
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'While this was happening, Shannon Ives did not shield her son from her parents and take him out of harm's way. She also treated him cruelly herself.
'The Child Practice Review must leave no stone unturned in establishing whether more could have been done by professionals to protect Ethan, and any recommendations must be fully taken onboard to help safeguard children in the future.'
'We can all look out for children's welfare, and anyone concerned about a child can call the NSPCC free helpline on 0808 800 5000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk. If a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.'
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Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
What age can a child legally babysit another in England over the school summer holidays?
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And while leaving a 14-year-old in charge might seem convenient - experts warn it's not always safe or sensible. What are the laws? In the UK, there isn't a legal minimum age for a child to babysit. However, the NSPCC warns that under-16s shouldn't be left in charge of younger kids - especially for long periods or overnight. That's because they're unlikely to have the maturity, experience or legal responsibility to cope in an emergency. Every child matures differently, so it would be almost impossible to have a "one size fits all" law. Leaving a child with someone who isn't able to care for them properly could be classed as neglect - meaning the blame will fall back on the parent. So, while teens might be keen to earn pocket money or help with siblings this summer, it's up to parents to judge whether they're truly ready. At what age can a child be left home alone? 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Some even have trails for kids to enjoy. Beach - It doesn't have to be sunny to enjoy the beach, you can go rock pooling, crabbing, make sandcastles, or enjoy a walk along the headland. Library - If the weather is awful, head indoors and borrow books, audiobooks, dvds. Cooking - Have your own mini bake-off, or Come Dine With Me challenge. Playdates - Invite friends over for an afternoon of socialising. Boardgames - Enjoy a little sibling rivalry with rounds of Monopoly or stretch your brain with Scrabble. Whether they are 12 or 18 years old, there might be reasons that they don't feel safe in the house alone. Some might not be ready to look after themselves or know what to do in an emergency. You should never leave a child home alone if they don't feel ready, or if you don't feel they are ready. Sometimes it's better to leave them with someone - particularly if they are nervous or have complex needs. 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Or another one I did was to give the kids a 'magic solution' I needed painted on the wall (it was just water and washing up liquid) to protect it. They spent a good hour doing that! CLOTHES: One thing I've used from when my daughter, now six, started school is to use clothing drawers for her and my son, who's 10. On a Sunday, I put all of their clothes, underwear, socks etc in the corresponding drawer for the week. Usually it's uniform, but I still use the drawers during the holiday too. It just makes things easier, more organised and less stressful - for all of us. 4 Helen also advised leaving clear, written instructions so the babysitter knows exactly what's expected Credit: Getty
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
What age can a child legally babysit another in England over the school summer holidays?
WITH the school holidays here, many parents are wondering: What age can your child legally babysit another in England? The long school summer holiday is here - and with it comes the juggle to find childcare while you're at work or out for the evening. 4 4 Formal childcare options such as childminders, holiday clubs and play schemes can prove pricey - especially over six long weeks. That's why many parents turn to older siblings or trusted teens to step in - but knowing where the law stands on it can be a grey area. And while leaving a 14-year-old in charge might seem convenient - experts warn it's not always safe or sensible. What are the laws? In the UK, there isn't a legal minimum age for a child to babysit. However, the NSPCC warns that under-16s shouldn't be left in charge of younger kids - especially for long periods or overnight. That's because they're unlikely to have the maturity, experience or legal responsibility to cope in an emergency. 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And children aged 6-12 years old are usually too young to walk home from school alone, babysit, or cook for themselves without adult supervision. Once your child reaches secondary school age, you should talk to them about how they would feel if they were left alone at home. Free summer holiday activites You don't need to spend a penny to keep your kids entertained this summer... Museums - Some museums offer free entry to some exhibits, and also host events for kids. Parks - Head to your local park to enjoy the playgrounds, games areas, courts and splash pads. Some even have trails for kids to enjoy. Beach - It doesn't have to be sunny to enjoy the beach, you can go rock pooling, crabbing, make sandcastles, or enjoy a walk along the headland. Library - If the weather is awful, head indoors and borrow books, audiobooks, dvds. Cooking - Have your own mini bake-off, or Come Dine With Me challenge. Playdates - Invite friends over for an afternoon of socialising. Boardgames - Enjoy a little sibling rivalry with rounds of Monopoly or stretch your brain with Scrabble. Whether they are 12 or 18 years old, there might be reasons that they don't feel safe in the house alone. Some might not be ready to look after themselves or know what to do in an emergency. You should never leave a child home alone if they don't feel ready, or if you don't feel they are ready. Sometimes it's better to leave them with someone - particularly if they are nervous or have complex needs. Top Tips for finding the right babysitter Helen Westerman, the NSPCC's strategic campaigns boss, said: 'Introduce your child or children to that person, and maybe have a little trial run. "It might be that you leave them with your child for 30 minutes in the house while you're in another room to make sure you feel confident and comfortable, and your child feels confident and comfortable. "As a parent, you'll know if something doesn't feel quite right, so trust your gut and don't go along with an arrangement if it doesn't feel right." Helen also advised leaving clear, written instructions so the babysitter knows exactly what's expected. That includes what time the kids should go to bed, what their routine looks like, whether there are any screen-time rules, and how to comfort them if they get upset - for example, with a favourite toy or blanket. She also stressed the importance of leaving your contact details and at least one other emergency number in case something goes wrong. If your child has any allergies, medical issues or complex needs, the babysitter should be fully briefed - including where to find any medication and what to do in an emergency. It's also a good idea to set some ground rules before you head out. Be clear about whether the babysitter can have friends over, or if your children are allowed to invite anyone round while you're gone. And if you're leaving your child with a teenage babysitter, Helen suggested letting a neighbour or friend know your plans. That way, if there's a problem and you can't get home quickly, someone nearby might be able to step in. Tips for keeping organised during the summer holidays IF you aren't sure how to keep organised during the summer holidays, then you've come to the right place. Senior Fabulous Writer, Sarah Bull, has shared her top tips... FOOD: One thing I find difficult is keeping on top of my kids' constant requests for snacks. Despite the fact they have one break time at school and then lunch, their demands for food during school holidays seem to be 24/7. To make things easier, I've decided to bring in snack baskets for them. They each have a certain amount of food (the same so that there's no arguments) and once it's gone, it's gone. 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On a Sunday, I put all of their clothes, underwear, socks etc in the corresponding drawer for the week. Usually it's uniform, but I still use the drawers during the holiday too. It just makes things easier, more organised and less stressful - for all of us. 4 4
ITV News
5 hours ago
- ITV News
Tradespeople say tool theft is ‘destroying' lives as millions of pounds worth stolen across UK
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'I broke down when I realised what happened. I've been left with nightmares and PTSD, and I now have this constant feeling of anxiety when I go to work.' Mr Hawkins, who works across mid and south Wales, has since considered leaving the trades industry. He said: 'I've been a plumber since I was 16 and I love my job, but it's not practical to carry on when you lose income and have to buy new tools. This shouldn't be happening to hard working people. 'These are tools you need to stay in work so you can feed your family.' CCTV footage showing a man taking tools from Mr Hawkins' parked van was handed to police. Officers are investigating but no arrests have yet been made. 29 out of 45 police forces in the UK responded to the FoI request. In Wales, Gwent Police recorded a 31% increase and North Wales Police recorded a 6% decrease, while South Wales Police and Dyfed-Powys Police did not respond. But the insurance company who submitted the FoI request, Direct Line, said the number of tool thefts is likely higher, as not all thefts are reported to police. Electrician Lee Jones, 38, who works across Cardiff and Gwent, estimates he lost £5,000 of tools when his van was broken into earlier this year in Llandaff. The 38-year-old, from Cardiff, said: 'It happened in broad daylight. Thieves pulled up in a car behind my van outside a property I was working in. It took them 30 seconds to cut a hole in the back door of my van, and two minutes to empty it.' Mr Jones said he was unable to work for a few weeks after the incident as he had to replace the tools. He said: 'It's not just a financial impact. It's your career. It's everything." Some tradespeople have taken it upon themselves to tackle tool theft. Carpenter Matthew Griffin, from Swansea, has been encouraging tradespeople in Wales to register the serial numbers of their tools on his app, Tool Archive, so second-hand buyers can check if they are buying stolen tools. The 27-year-old said: 'My friends have had to cancel holidays to replace stolen tools. I've seen careers ruined and people pushed to breaking point. 'My father is also a tradesman and I've seen him distraught when he's had his tools stolen. The gangs who are doing this do not give a care in the world." Trades United, a campaign group, said it wants to see more restrictions on selling second-hand power tools at bare minimum prices. The problem, they said, is that thieves can sell tools at unregulated car boot sales without worrying about getting caught. Shoaib Awan, a gas engineer from London, set up the group after his Transit Custom van was broken into twice. 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Mark Summerville, from Direct Line, an insurance company supporting tradespeople, said: 'It's important that all instances of tool theft are reported so police forces and lawmakers understand the full extent of the issue helping them to identify offender patterns and to allocate resources to combat these crimes. "Our data shows the value of each tool theft claim is actually on the rise, even though the overall volume of claims is moving downwards. 'Further research from us found that 75 per cent of people would not feel confident identifying stolen tools being resold. Tighter rules around providing proof of purchase when selling second-hand tools could help make it harder for criminals to resell goods and could help reduce the frequency of these thefts.'
