Mum recorded herself abusing her child before she and her partner killed him in 'harrowing' attacks

A woman and her violent ex-boyfriend have been found guilty of killing a two-year-old boy after their 'harrowing' abuse was captured on her secret mobile phone recordings.

Kyrell Matthews was the victim of frequent attacks in the weeks before he collapsed and died at his home in Thornton Heath, south London, the Old Bailey heard.

The non-verbal toddler was discovered to have 41 rib fractures and internal bleeding from a 4cm cut to his liver by the time of his death on October 20, 2019.

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The fractures were caused by a twisting motion and the fatal liver injury was from a kick, punch or blow to the stomach, jurors were told. The non-fatal injuries were inflicted in at least five separate attacks over 28 days, indicating a significant period of abuse, according to experts.

Kyrell's mother, Phylesia Shirley, 24, admitted her son to come to harm but denied involvement in his murder.

Her partner at the time, Kemar Brown, 28, who has a string of convictions for violence, also denied any involvement in the murder and causing or allowing Kyrell's death and harm.

It was claimed on Brown's behalf that the jury could not be sure Kyrell was killed by accident when Shirley gave him chest compressions - she was wrongly advised in a 111 call to use two hands rather than one.

But experts for the prosecution told jurors there were no recorded cases of a child having a macerated liver from being given CPR.

The court heard distressing mobile phone recordings of both adults striking Kyrell on multiple occasions. The audio had been secretly recorded by Shirley because she suspected her partner was being unfaithful.

Kyrell was described as a "happy, smiley"