A senior Hertfordshire detective today (Friday) spoke outside St Albans Crown Court after murderer Carl Wheatley was jailed for killing his daughter.
Wheatley, 31, of Queen Bee Court, Hatfield, was jailed for at least 21 years after he beat his daughter Alexa-Marie Quinn to death, at their home 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.
Chief Inspector Jerome Kent, who led the murder investigation, said: “We’re very satisfied that the jury used their time and deliberated well and found Carl Wheatley guilty of murder and very satisfied with the sentence of 21 years, life imprisonment that’s been passed today.”
He added: “Carl Wheatley was a very manipulative man and he took his frustrations out on his daughter, she was a very vulnerable person”.
Det Ch Insp Kent also spoke about Wheatley’s internet searches to try and find out how to cover up injuries he had inflicted on the defenceless four-year-old.
Asked about social services’ role in the investigation he revealed a serious case review had been launched into how the formerly fostered Alexa-Marie came to be placed with her father.
But the senior officer praised social workers for their help in the murder probe.
He said social services had “provided me with all the help and assistance I need in this investigation”.
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