Ethan Ives Griffiths’ murderers are ‘evilest people on Earth’, dad says

The daddy of a toddler murdered by his grandparents mentioned he held his son as his life assist was switched off and has branded his killers the “evilest folks on Earth”.

Ethan Ives Griffiths, two, was killed by his grandparents Michael Ives, 47, and Kerry Ives, 46, at their house in Backyard Metropolis, Flintshire, in August 2021.

His mom, Shannon Ives, 28, from Mould, was convicted of inflicting or permitting Ethan’s dying and little one cruelty.

Ethan’s father, Will Griffiths, 29, from Flint, mentioned he partly blamed himself for the dying and claimed he warned Flintshire social providers the toddler was not secure along with his grandparents. Flintshire council mentioned it was co-operating with a baby follow overview.

Mr Griffiths additionally mentioned “the best way they handled him is sort of a bunch of chimpanzees, simply taking part in with him and everybody having a go prefer it’s a toy”.

Ethan suffered a catastrophic mind harm at his grandparents’ house on 14 August 2021, and died in hospital two days later.

He was severely malnourished and underweight, and had greater than 40 accidents on his physique.

Ethan went to dwell along with his grandparents in June 2021 after a home dispute which noticed Shannon Ives separate from Mr Griffiths. Just a few weeks later, Shannon Ives additionally moved in.

The household’s personal CCTV was performed through the trial displaying Ethan’s grandfather repeatedly carrying the little boy by one arm in a fashion which the prosecution mentioned was like “a bag of garbage”.

He was additionally seen to apparently encourage one other little one to strike Ethan, who was usually made to face in stress positions and maintain his fingers above his head as a type of punishment.

Describing watching the photographs in courtroom, Mr Griffiths mentioned it was the “worst factor” he had ever seen an individual do to a baby.

“My abdomen turns simply occupied with the best way he carried him again and again. I do know it could have harm lots,” he mentioned.

He added: “I do not assume you’d even see this in prisoners of battle. I actually do not assume you’d.

“It’s extremely, very disturbing to assume that these are those that had been supposed to like him.

“And so they’ve proven every little thing however like to him.”

The prosecutor mentioned Ethan’s deadly mind harm on 14 August will need to have been attributable to a “forceful assault”.

His grandparents claimed he merely “collapsed” whereas watching TV at their house.

The next day, Mr Griffiths was phoned by his ex-partner Shannon Ives to say Ethan had fallen and was in hospital.

He mentioned on the best way to hospital he picked up a get properly quickly card, considering Ethan had had a “little fall” and was going to be OK.

As he walked into the hospital room Mr Griffiths mentioned he didn’t recognise his son, who he had not seen for 10 weeks.

“I could not imagine it was my son. It did not appear like Ethan,” he mentioned.

“He was utterly completely different from head to toe. There was no weight there. There was nothing of him… utterly lined in bruises.

“It was a sight of horror.”

The next day Mr Griffiths was known as to hospital with members of his household and a call was made to take away Ethan’s life assist, after medical doctors mentioned there was nothing extra they may do.

“The choice is by far the toughest factor I’ve ever selected, and nonetheless to this present day and to the day I die, I’ll remorse making that call,” he mentioned.

“I nonetheless see the picture in my head. I nonetheless have the precise time in my head prefer it was yesterday.

“I bought the prospect to carry him whereas he took his last breath. No less than he knew in his last second any person he beloved was truly holding him.”

The six-week trial heard there was social providers involvement with Shannon Ives and Mr Griffiths, and their kids.

There had been an allegation of home abuse in opposition to Mr Griffiths, and he was additionally accused of being aggressive in direction of a social employee on 9 June 2021 – which led to him being arrested and his household shifting out, finally ending up with Michael and Kerry Ives.

Different allegations had been additionally made, together with that he abused Shannon Ives, and had bodily thrown Ethan. He denies all of the allegations heard in courtroom and no additional motion was taken after his arrest.

When requested why, if all of the allegations had been unfaithful, his accomplice and youngsters left, he replied: “Her household wish to get into her head.”

He mentioned they might “make up every kind of stuff to ensure I do not get to see my kids” however that he had at all times maintained his innocence.

Mr Griffiths mentioned his relationship with Michael Ives was “bitter from day one”, when he first bought along with Shannon Ives, aged 18.

The couple went on to have three kids collectively.

Mr Griffiths mentioned Ethan was a “stunning little boy” who had the “greatest of smiles”.

“He was a really, very loving boy and he was at all times desirous to do one thing. We mentioned he had ants in his pants. He was at all times desirous to be operating round and leaping round taking part in.

“Like all little one would. He was simply vigorous, completely vigorous.”

He described Ethan as “sassy” and “boisterous” and that he beloved nothing greater than a cuddle.

“Ethan was in his greatest aspect along with his wellies on within the backyard, regardless of the climate,” he mentioned.

Mr Griffiths mentioned one of many happiest moments of his life was when Ethan and his different kids had been all taking part in within the backyard one summer time.

“We had been having a fantastic chortle, having fun with the sunshine, soaking all of it in.

He added: “We had been simply so pleased.

“It was the primary summer time we would all had collectively.

“We had no distractions, no-one else. It was simply me and my kids. That was all.”

Michael and Kerry Ives and their daughter Shannon Ives are all as a consequence of be sentenced on 3 October.

Mr Griffiths mentioned he thought Michael and Kerry Ives had been “arguably, the evilest folks on Earth”.

“They’re vile and disgusting, evil items of trash.

“They do not need to nonetheless be capable to breathe our air whereas my son does not get to.

“It is a very horrible factor that they nonetheless get life, whereas my son does not.”

He mentioned he hoped they might spend the remainder of their lives in jail.

“I do not assume any punishment might make up for what they’ve achieved”.

He mentioned when it got here to Ethan’s mum Shannon Ives he felt a “lot of disappointment”.

“I’d say I am indignant, however it’s gone previous that. It is gone previous anger together with her, and I am simply disgusted and dissatisfied in every little thing she’s achieved and mentioned and proven.”

Mr Griffiths mentioned he blamed himself for “not simply turning as much as their home” as he now believes he would have been in a position convey consideration to what was occurring.

“I do blame myself for various nothing taking place,” he mentioned.

In an announcement, Flintshire council mentioned it was “inconceivable that his younger life was taken by those that ought to have protected him”.

The council mentioned it was co-operating with an impartial little one follow overview by the North Wales Safeguarding Board.

“In step with agreed follow the North Wales Safeguarding Board has appointed a panel to overview the involvement of businesses,” it mentioned.

“The impartial reviewers will produce a report figuring out their findings and suggestions. The report might be offered to the safeguarding board for scrutiny and assurance.”