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topicnews · October 25, 2024

The cowardly child killer who murdered his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter by throwing her at a fireplace covered his ears as he was sentenced to 20 years in prison

The cowardly child killer who murdered his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter by throwing her at a fireplace covered his ears as he was sentenced to 20 years in prison

A cowardly child murderer who murdered his sometime girlfriend’s daughter covered his ears as he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Ali Jayden Doyle died in August 2021 from serious head injuries inflicted by Darryn John Armstrong, 35, at a house on Park Avenue in Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

Armstrong, whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison, initially claimed Ali Jayden’s younger brother threw a toy at her, causing her to lose her balance, fall back and hit her head on the fireplace.

He later admitted throwing the toddler against the fireplace after he lost his temper.

During the sentencing hearing at Belfast Crown Court, Armstrong sat in the dock with his head bowed and his ears covered and was criticized for showing “not an ounce of regret”.

Sentencing at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Justice McAlinden said Armstrong, whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison, had shown “not an ounce of regret or remorse” for his actions

Ali Jayden Doyle died from severe head injuries. Armstrong initially claimed that Ali Jayden's younger brother threw a toy at her, causing her to lose her balance, fall backwards and hit her head on the fireplace

Ali Jayden Doyle died from severe head injuries. Armstrong initially claimed that Ali Jayden’s younger brother threw a toy at her, causing her to lose her balance, fall backwards and hit her head on the fireplace

Dempsey, whose address cannot be released for legal reasons, cried as she confirmed she would accept the terms of the order.

Dempsey had left her two young children in Armstrong’s care on the morning of the murder, August 6, 2021, as she planned to travel to Belfast to buy a stroller.

This contradicted a child protection plan drawn up by the social services department, which stipulated that Armstrong, who had committed serious crimes in the past, including domestic violence, should have no contact with the children.

After admitting to throwing the toddler against the fireplace after he lost his temper, he changed his story even further, claiming he had no memory of what happened in the house as he was under the influence of drugs at the time have.

However, he pleaded guilty to murder in May this year and was automatically sentenced to life in prison.

The minimum tariff of 20 years takes into account the three years he has already served in custody before the conviction.

In sentencing on Thursday, Judge McAlinden said: “We will never know what exactly happened in that house that morning, but there is no doubt that Darryn Armstrong kidnapped that child and inflicted terribly serious head injuries.”

“The level of force required to inflict these injuries on a two-year-old child is entirely consistent with the intent to kill that child, to murder her.”

Dempsey pleaded guilty in May to one count of child cruelty, namely that she intentionally neglected and exposed Ali Jayden in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury.

At the same hearing, the child's mother, Jade Dempsey, 28, was given a three-year suspended sentence after admitting allegations of willful neglect of her daughter

At the same hearing, the child’s mother, Jade Dempsey, 28, was given a three-year suspended sentence after admitting allegations of willful neglect of her daughter

Judge McAlinden said although her “disregard” of the child protection plan reached the threshold for a custodial sentence, he said it would be “completely pointless” to send her back to prison – she has already spent a year in custody.

He described her as an “extraordinarily vulnerable person” and said the probation order would ensure she received the support, advice and therapy she needed.

Outside court, Ali Jayden’s father Dylan Doyle said it had been a “long and very emotional” journey to achieve justice.

“We as a family will never forget our beautiful little girl,” he said.

“She will always be in our hearts, we will never be able to accept that such a beautiful little child can be so cruelly taken away from us while we are in the so-called care of social services who were supposed to protect my daughter.”

During his sentencing, Judge McAlinden said he was “dismayed” by Dempsey’s attempt to shift “responsibility” onto social services and rejected her claim that she had not been adequately warned about Armstrong.

“It is abundantly clear that she has chosen to disregard the full and comprehensive warnings given to her,” he said.

The judge said she also lied to social services about the nature and extent of contact she and her children had with Armstrong in the lead-up to August 6, 2021.

Northern Ireland Police Chief Detective Anthony Kelly commented on Armstrong’s sentence outside court.

“His cowardly and disgusting actions cost the life of an innocent young person,” he said.

“He robbed a little boy of his big sister and caused unimaginable heartache to a loving father and larger family.”