Woman’s ‘torment’ after son killed by stepmother who filmed his death

A mum has spoken of her “torment” after her “beautiful” three-year-old son was killed by his “evil” stepmother – who filmed his death.

A mum has spoken of her “torment” after her “beautiful” three-year-old son was killed by his “evil” stepmother.

As reported by The Sun, Harvey Borrington suffered a fractured skull and bleed on the brain after being slapped “multiple” times in the head.

The stricken toddler was filmed moaning on the living room floor by Leila Borrington, who claimed she made the harrowing clip to show paramedics.

Before eventually calling emergency services, the 23-year-old texted Harvey’s dad, asking: “Why does this always happen to me?”

She later sent another message reading: “Don’t leave the kids with me again.”

Harvey’s mum, Katie Holroyd, revealed her heartache at her son’s death as Borrington was yesterday jailed for 15 years for manslaughter.

She was also convicted of assault and causing grievous bodily harm after attacking Harvey on separate occasions.

Harvey Borrington was killed by his stepmum. Picture: Facebook

In an emotional victim impact statement, Katie fought back tears as she described her pain at losing her “beautiful boy”.

“He was everything to me,” she said.

“Since August 9, 2021, not a day has gone by where we haven’t woken up broken by the thought that we will never hold him again, hear his laugh or watch him grow up.

“Harvey’s life was cruelly ended when he was only three years old, killed by the very person who was trusted to care for him and protect him.

“To this day I cannot bear to think of him lying on that floor dying with her filming him and delaying getting medical help for him.

“To have it confirmed that Harvey, before his death, had been assaulted by Leila Borrington will be a lifelong torment for now. A recurring nightmare which I will never be able to wake from.”

Katie also spoke of her “treasured” memories with her son and said her favourite was a picnic where they watched the boats.

“My beautiful boy couldn’t talk, he couldn’t articulate the suffering he had to endure. He couldn’t tell me he didn’t want to go,” she said of his final moments.

“He was the most loving boy anyone could have wished for, and we will always treasure the short time we got to spend with him.”

Leila Borrington has now been jailed for life. Picture: PA

Nottingham Crown Court heard how the stepmum was looking after the boy at home in Jacksdale, Nottinghamshire, when the horror unfolded.

Harrowing footage showed Harvey, who was autistic and non-verbal, lying motionless on a rug in the living room. The toddler could be heard moaning as Borrington yelled, “Harvey, Harv” before sending the three-minute clip to his dad.

She could be seen in the footage picking up his arm and dropping it to the floor before finally ringing emergency services to claim he had fallen.

“The tone of her voice, when calling Harvey’s name, in her attempts to rouse him – if that’s an accurate description, we say it is not – suggest an absence of compassion,” prosecutor Jonas Hankin KC said.

“The lifting and dropping of his arm in that way, similarly, appears to show indifference to the obvious severity of his condition.”

Paramedics arrived to find Harvey “floppy” and unconscious so decided to rush him to hospital.

On the way, Borrington told the ambulance driver “it always happened when Harvey was with her”.

She also texted her partner, saying: “[Harvey] got up and was running riot, playing happily as ever, running between the sofas and then stood up on one and just came backwards … smacking his head off the floor.”

Harvey tragically couldn't be saved. Picture: PA

Harvey tragically couldn’t be saved and died on August 9, 2021 – two days after the incident.

A post mortem revealed he had suffered trauma to the head, which had caused damage to the brain.

Medics found he had sustained other injuries in the weeks leading up to his death – including a broken arm, scrape on his back and marks on his ears and face.

Borrington tried claiming the injuries were either self-inflicted or happened when she pulled Harvey up after he tripped on the stairs.

But jurors were told the stepmum had “twisted and turned” her story to suit the evidence.

The prosecutor also said Borrington targeted Harvey as he was unable to communicate when he was in pain.

“This was a tragic incident that shocked the local community,” Detective Inspector Simon Harrison, of Nottinghamshire Police, said.

“Harvey was a much-loved little boy who was cherished by his parents and his wider family.

“As a police officer I am pleased with the decision of the jury in this case, but I’m acutely aware that it is of no consolation to those left behind.

“This has been a very lengthy and difficult investigation and I would like to thank everyone involved in getting us to this point.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission