Maya Chappell: Detective branded child's murderer a 'coward'

Michael Daymond was convicted of murdering two-year-old Maya Chappell after he shook her so violently that she suffered fatal head injuries.

The 27-year-old was looking after the toddler while her mother, Dana Carr, went to work.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Daymond was on the phone to the Department of Work and Pensions while paramedics fought to save Maya’s life after his Universal Credit was stopped in September last year.

Maya Chappell (Image: Family handout)

Maya died two days later in Newcastle’s RVI hospital without regaining consciousness.

Detective Superintendent Chris Barker, of Durham Constabulary led the investigation, thanked the jury for ‘seeing through Daymond’s abhorrent behaviour and convicting him’.

He said: “Maya Chappell died at the hands of someone who should have been caring for her.

“Maya was defenceless. She was two-years-old and should have felt safe at home, learning, playing, and having fun but instead she lived in constant fear of what Michael Daymond was going to do to her next.

“She was too young to be able to tell anyone of her suffering and her mother Dana Carr who knew about the bruises but failed to act.

Maya Chappell (Image: Family handout)

“Daymond thought he could get away with causing her pain by feeding those around him repeated lies and excuses.

“Eventually he killed her. But his cowardly unwillingness to admit what he did means we may never know why he killed Maya or exactly what went on in the weeks leading up to her death.

“What we do know is Maya didn’t deserve to die.

“I am grateful to the jury for seeing through Daymond’s abhorrent behaviour and convicting him today.

“Sadly, nothing will bring Maya back, but we hope the outcome here today brings some closure for those who truly cared about her.”

Child killer Michael Daymond, left, with Maya Chappell's mother, Dana Carr, right (Image: Newsquest)

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The 27-year-old was also found guilty of child cruelty for inflicting numerous injuries on the toddler leading up to her death.

Maya’s mother, Carr, was found guilty of allowing her death and child cruelty.

Daymond and Carr, formerly of Shotton Colliery, County Durham, will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Friday, December 22.

• Anyone who has any concerns about the welfare of a child should contact Durham Constabulary on 101, or 999 in an emergency.