Doncaster stepfather jailed for life for violent murder of 'cuddly baby boy' in horrific attack which mother allowed to happen

A stepfather who murdered his partner's two-year-old son at their Doncaster home has been told he may never be freed from prison.

Evil Martin Currie was jailed for life with a minimum of 22 years today (Wednesday) after being found guilty of the horrific death of Keigan O'Brien, who was shaken and thrown against a hard surface while the youngster's mother was out.

Sarah O'Brien, Keigan's mother, was jailed for eight years for allowing Keigan's murder by leaving him in the company of violent heroin addict Currie, 36, on the morning of the attack on January 8 this year.

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Described in court as a "beautiful little boy" and a "cuddly baby", he suffered horrific injuries at the hands of Currie just two days after his second birthday, and was on life support for a day before doctors had to switch it off.

Martin Currie and Sarah O'Brien, jailed over the death of O'Brien's two-year-old son Keigan O'Brien at their home in Adwick-le-Street, DoncasterMartin Currie and Sarah O'Brien, jailed over the death of O'Brien's two-year-old son Keigan O'Brien at their home in Adwick-le-Street, Doncaster
Martin Currie and Sarah O'Brien, jailed over the death of O'Brien's two-year-old son Keigan O'Brien at their home in Adwick-le-Street, Doncaster

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Currie had been in bed watching porn on his phone on the morning of the attack when Keigan disturbed him, prompting him to fly into a fit of rage and lash out at the toddler.

Medical evidence suggested Currie had yanked his arm before shaking him and throwing him down.

He then put the youngster back on his bed and continued to browse porn and gambling websites, before later finding Keigan was floppy and cold and frantically searching online the terms "unconscious" and "unconscious and gurgling".

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Currie then called his drug dealer before calling O'Brien an hour later asking her to call 999.

Sheffield Crown CourtSheffield Crown Court
Sheffield Crown Court

During the five-week trial it was heard how, during the couple's relationship, they had exchanged messages calling Keigan cruel and dehumanising terms and had even shut him in his room adjusting the door handle so he could not get out.

The court also heard Keigan had been hospitalised a few months prior to the murder at the end of 2019, when he was treated for injuries that included fractures to his spine, ribs, bleeds to his head and spine and injuries to his eyes.

Her Honour Mrs Justice Eady told the court the injuries would have been caused "by severe force" consistent with "a blow, stamping or kneeling" to the chest, and that Keigan would have shown signs of "ongoing distress".

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After emergency services were finally called on the day of the fatal attack, Currie continued to play a "cruel charade" pretending to be giving Keigan CPR, then lied to paramedics when they arrived at the couple's home on Bosworth Road, Adwick-le-Street.

Sentencing Currie, Judge Eady said: "You had placed yourself in the role of Keigan’s father, your duty was to protect him; instead you abused, injured and killed him."

She added: "Ultimately, I must sentence you for the violent murder of a blameless two-year old child left in your care."

Turning to O'Brien, 33, she said: "At the very least, you failed to protect Keigan, leaving him with Martin Currie, to be subjected to the very significant force used in the incident that led to his death."

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A victim impact statement from Keigan's biological father read out in court by prosecutor Jason Karl Pitter QC said he would "never forgive" himself for not being there for Keigan on the morning of the attack.

Both Currie and O'Brien were found guilty of cruelty against a child, although their sentences did not include further penalties for this.

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