The life sentence handed to a 'cowardly' murderer who shook a County Durham toddler to death is being placed under review for being 'unduly lenient', it has emerged. 

The sentence of Michael Daymond over the death of Maya Chappell has been challenged under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme, along with the sentence of the two-year-old's mum for causing or allowing the death of a child.  

Daymond was jailed for life and must serve a minimum term of 20 years behind bars after being convicted of Maya's murder in September 2022

Following a three-week trial at Teesside Crown Court, the 27-year-old was also found guilty of child cruelty and was given a sentence of six years prison, to be served concurrently.The Northern Echo:

Maya's mother, Dana Carr, 27, of Crathorne Court, Burnopfield, County Durham was locked up for nine years after she turned a blind eye to the toddler’s suffering in the weeks leading up to her death.

Both sentences have now been referred to the Attorney General's Office under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme (ULS), which allows anyone to refer a sentence to the Court of Appeal for being too low.

An appeal must be lodged within 28 days of the sentencing, which is the time within which the Attorney General can refer a sentence to the Court of Appeal.

The sentences of both Daymond and Carr, which were passed on December 21, are now under consideration.

The Northern Echo:

The toddler was murdered by Daymond in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, in September 2022.

Jurors heard how the couple and Maya moved from Consett just weeks before the toddler's death.

Daymond shook his new partner's toddler to death after he learned his benefits had been stopped and drug dealers were putting pressure on him over debt has been jailed for life.

Carr, who had turned a blind eye to the abuse which had been going on for a number of weeks was supposedly caring for Maya on the afternoon of September 28, when she fell seriously ill at their home in Shotton Colliery.The Northern Echo:

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Sentencing Daymond, Judge Mr Justice Bright, said: “What concerns me most is that this was not a single episode of uncharacteristic behaviour. It is now apparent that, since moving in with Dana Carr, you had been hurting Maya regularly.

The Northern Echo: Maya Chappell was murdered by her mother's boyfriend when he shook her violently while looking

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

“The injuries inflicted were not as severe before 28 September, but there is a degree of nastiness about this persistent conduct, and especially about what must have been the deliberate targeting of Maya’s pubic mound.

“Furthermore, the fact that you knew Maya had to be kept away from the scrutiny of her father and the staff at the nursery indicates that you were aware of the seriousness of what you were doing.

“There was clearly a significant change in what you did to Maya on 28 September. Your other worries must have played a significant part, but this was not an isolated flash of temper.”