The full, heartbreaking statements read in court by the parents of tragic Genevieve Meehan as her killer was sentenced

Every day, the heartbroken parents of tragic nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan - killed by nursery worker Kate Roughley - sat in the public gallery at Manchester Crown Court. They showed incredible strength as haunting CCTV was played to the trial jury.

Footage showed Roughley, 37, scolding and berating their beloved child. Katie Wheeler and John Meehan watched through tears as Gigi's final moments were seen on TV screens before weeping jurors.

They were forced to listen to the lies of her killer. Every day, they sat in dignified silence, holding hands. They were there for their little girl, who they miss more than words can say.

READ MORE: Nursery worker Kate Roughley jailed for 14 years for killing nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan

Today (Wednesday), before Roughley was jailed for 14 years, they addressed Manchester Crown Court and spoke of their heartbreak. Roughley, of Basil Street, Heaton Norris, Stockport, swaddled Genevieve in a blanket, before strapping her face down onto a bean bag while she was in her care at Tiny Toes Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, in May 2022. The beloved tot died from a combination of asphyxia and 'pathophysiological stress'.

Ms Wheeler, whose statement was read on her behalf, said: "My love for Genevieve started the moment I found out I was pregnant because I was so desperate to have her. It was such a privilege to carry her in my womb and the day she finally came into the world was so joyous. It had been a very difficult pregnancy because I had pre-eclampsia and Gigi was born early and was so tiny at just over three pounds."

Solicitor Ms Wheeler said that during the last few weeks of her pregnancy, she attended the Tommy's clinic at St Mary's Hospital, cared for by supportive and