A dad who murdered his four-year-old daughter has been jailed for life.

Carl Wheatley will serve 21 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole, it was ruled this morning.

Wheatley, 31, was convicted on Wednesday for the murder of daughter Alexa-Marie Quinn.

She had only moved in with him on December 30, 2013, and died on March 12 last year.

She suffered 66 severe injuries, and was beaten so hard that fat cells made their way into her bloodstream, blocking her lungs.

Wheatley called for an ambulance after the beating, which happened at their home in Queen Bee Court, Hatfield, but St Albans Crown Court heard she had probably died sometime before.

Detective Chief Inspector Jerome Kent from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “This was a truly horrific case whereby a father, who should have been protecting his daughter, beat her to death and didn’t seek help until it was too late.

“No child should suffer in this way and it is right that Carl Wheatley, who is a dangerous and violent man, was found guilty of murder and sentenced accordingly.

“This has been an extremely distressing time for Alexa-Marie’s family and our thoughts are with them.

“Despite having to relive what happened to her, they have remained dignified and supported the investigation throughout and I would like to thank them.

“I would also like to thank all of the police officers and other professionals who have worked on this case.

“It has been extremely difficult to understand how any person could inflict such injury on a child however; due to their professionalism justice has been delivered.”