Ben Butler Sentenced to Life in Prison For The Murder of His 6-Year-Old Daughter

Ben Butler has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his six-year-old daughter Ellie. According to The Guardian the judge, Mr Justice Wilkie, said that Butler must serve a minimum of 23 years for the “horrific” crime. He told the 36-year-old: “You are very far from being a good parent; you are a self-absorbed, ill-tempered, violent, domineering man.” Ellie was found dead at the family home in Sutton back in October 2013 – some 11 months after a judge was convinced to return the child to the care of Butler and her mother Jennie Gray.

Father of six-year-old Ellie Butler convicted of her #murder at the Old Bailey https://t.co/M6LFU29eSw pic.twitter.com/er2o28CYh3

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 21, 2016

Her fatal injuries were said to be similar to those inflicted in a high-speed car accident. Previously, Butler was jailed for assaulting Ellie when she was seven months old. This conviction was later overturned. Gray was also sentenced to 42 months in prison for child cruelty as well as her role in covering up the murder, which took place when Butler was at home alone with Ellie. The verdicts were handed down earlier today (Tuesday) at the Old Bailey in London.