Youth who killed lover’s son given five years of detention

Cameron Rose was 16 when epileptic Rhys Lawrie died from a head injury after being left alone with him.

Rose, now 18, of Eltham, south London, was found guilty last month of Rhys’s manslaughter and assault causing actual bodily harm in January last year. He was cleared of murder following an Old Bailey trial.

Rose was attending a school for emotionally disturbed youngsters when he began an affair with Rhys’s mother, former Army medic Sadie Henry, now 28.

Rose hit the boy when he was left to look after him as Miss Henry, of Erith, Kent, went on the school run with another son. Four days later, Rhys collapsed after being swung by his leg and his head knocked against a wall. Miss Henry lied to paramedics and police to try to cover up her affair.

Rhys had a head injury, fingertip-sized bruising to his face, ears and body. His right leg was fractured. Rose claimed the injuries were accidental. He had a previous finding of guilt for arson and had been cautioned twice for damaging his home.

Rosina Cottage QC, for Rose, said he had anger management and emotional issues and the offence resulted for circumstances which would not be repeated.

Miss Henry told the court she met Rose at other people’s houses and even had sex with him in a park after Rhys died. She continued seeing him in secret until September last year when police arrested her on suspicion of murder.

She was later cautioned for trying to cover up the relationship.