Ipswich Police's DCI Craig Powell after verdict in Isabella Wheildon murder trial

DCI Craig Powell from Suffolk Police speaks after the verdict in the Isabella Wheildon murder trial in Ipswich.

Transcript

00:00Craig Powell, Detective Chief Inspector, POWELL.

00:07The murder of any child is in my opinion the worst crime imaginable.

00:11When they are killed at the hands of those that are supposed to protect and care for such a young and innocent life, it is somehow even worse.

00:20Tragically, this is exactly what happened to two-year-old Isabella Jonas-Wilden.

00:26Today has seen the delivery of justice for Isabella and her family, with Scott Jeff having been found guilty of her murder

00:34and her mother, Chelsea Gleeson Mitchell, being convicted of causing or allowing her death.

00:40This poor family have had to endure not only the loss of their precious Isabella,

00:45but they have been subject to hearing the most harrowing details of her final few weeks of life.

00:51These details included the suffering delivered by Scott Jeff whilst her mother, Chelsea Gleeson Mitchell, stood by,

01:00did nothing to intervene despite having so much opportunity to have done something to stop it.

01:06I want to pay my respects and heartfelt thanks to the family of Isabella,

01:11who have since the very beginning of this investigation put their unwavering faith and trust in the Constabulary and my team.

01:20The family have remained so dignified and brave even when faced with detailed evidence at the lengthy trial.

01:27This trial and the pain and suffering which it has caused was only necessary due to Scott unsuccessfully attempting to deny his guilt.

01:37Isabella has, I know, touched the hearts of so many.

01:42I recognise how difficult this case has been for the many witnesses, jury members,

01:47along with the entire investigation and prosecution team,

01:50including Sally Howard's King's Counsel and Junior Counsel, Alex Kettle-Williams.

01:57I, alongside the family, wish to thank them all for delivering justice for Isabella.