Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Annabal Bagdi & Laura Sharman

'I'll be haunted forever by heartbreaking video of toddler walking to his death'

Heartbreaking footage shows a toddler moments before being beaten to death by his mum's boyfriend.

Police uncovered the video of three-year-old Kemarni Watson Darby holding hands with his mum Alicia Watson as they strolled home.

Hours later, Watson’s boyfriend Nathaniel Pope beat Kemarni so badly that he was unable to walk, reports Birmingham Live.

DI James Mahon, who led the investigation, described the clip as one of the most haunting he has ever seen.

"I think the thing that sticks with me the most, and it haunts me really, is watching Kemarni take those last steps up the stairway to the flat.

"He's with Watson, who should have been there to care and protect him.

"And he was going into his home, which should have been his safe place, his haven, and ultimately, as you watch that footage, he's walking to his death. I think that footage will stay with me forever."

Pope was jailed for life following the horrifying murder in the Black Country, West Midlands.

Watson was sentenced to 11 years in prison for her part in her son's death.

Kemarni and his mum Watson walking home from the medical centre (West Midlands Police / SWNS)

Police believe Pope began beating Kemarni two months before he died in West Bromwich in June 2018.

The murder trial heard evidence of how the "boisterous" toddler was seen to have behavioural issues at nursery and could barely string sentences together.

DI Mahon said: "That was obviously a result of that abuse. He’d started to lose his ability to have emotions at either end of the scale of experiencing happiness or sadness.

Kemarni Watson Darby (West Midlands Police / SWNS)

It’s terrible to think what life he was living in there."

Pope used snapped electrical cables to force the door shut and lock Kemarni in a room at the family’s two-bedroom home in Stanton House.

The West Midlands Police officer added: "How anyone could deliver a fatal blow to a three-year-child on the pretence that he is naughty is absolutely shocking.

Alicia Watson (West Midlands Police / SWNS)
Nathaniel Pope smiling as he talks to police (PA)

"The cable was used to lock him in the bedroom when he was described as being naughty. That’s just abuse, a child shouldn’t be locked away.

"Watson did use physical violence to chastise the children. Whether that gave him the green light because he is a violent individual, we don’t know.

"He’s never shown any remorse or accepted any responsibility."

Kemarni's injured right eye (West Midlands Police / SWNS)

Watson knew about Pope's abuse of her son and even stayed in a relationship with him after her son was killed.

But at trial, she blamed her ex-boyfriend for her son's murder and branded Pope a 'cold-hearted liar' after he denied he ever hurt the child.

DI Mahon said: "There are other elements that shock you too, it’s the fact that Watson, his mother, stood by Pope knowing what he had done afterwards.

"I can’t fathom why anyone would ever do that, and at the stage she is either trying to do that to absolve herself from the ongoing abuse or to protect him.

Kemarni Watson Darby (West Midlands Police / SWNS)
Pope showed no signs of remorse when questioned by police (West Midlands Police / SWNS)

"Not only did she know what was happening but she was involved in what was happening.

"The court heard evidence of her physically assaulting Kemarni so I think her behaviour and her abuse of Kemarni probably allowed Pope to commit the most serious violence later on."

The detective insisted there were no missed opportunities by the force as no concerns about Kemarni’s welfare were raised with West Midlands Police or Sandwell Council.

Jurors heard how Pope often locked Kemarni in a room (West Midlands Police / SWNS)

Historic injuries 'would not have been causing him pain' when Watson took him to a medical centre hours before he died. the detective added.

Bruising and scratches noticed by nursery staff and loved ones were also 'explained away' by Watson as being 'usual bumps'.

Watson and Pope were arrested on the day Kemarni died on suspicion of child cruelty.

They were released under investigation and interviewed again about two months later before being arrested on suspicion of murder in June 2018.

The wire used to lock the bedroom door (West Midlands Police / SWNS)
Pope was seen smiling when police arrived (West Midlands Police / SWNS)

A trial at Birmingham Crown Court stretched over six months and saw jurors presented with evidence over 10 weeks. They returned their verdicts on April 12, with the criminals sentenced today.

DI Mahon said it took more than three years to bring the case to trial due to delays 'out of the control' of police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The living room at the home (West Midlands Police / SWNS)

He said: "The process of ageing bone fractures can take up to 12 months so that had to be done before we got the final pathology report and then we’d have to have paediatric experts to understand exactly how the injuries were caused.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.