Madison Horn murder: Kevin Park jailed for at least 22 years after killing two-year-old

Park had been babysitting the toddler when he carried out the brutal attack

Handout photo issued by Police Scotland of Kevin Park (PA)

A man has been jailed for life after murdering his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter while he was babysitting her.

Kevin Park, 27, repeatedly struck Madison Horn on her body and hit her head against a wall.

She suffered 65 separate injuries in the brutal attack at her home in Kelty, Fife, on 20 April and died later in hospital, the BBC reported.

Park, who denied the crime, will have to serve at least 22 years before he will be considered for parole.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Park, a father-of-two, had been looking after the toddler while her mother was on a night out.

Park hit Madison’s head against a wall and punched and stamped on her. He pinched her ears and prosecutors also believe he may have used a broken pool cue during the horrific attack.

The child suffered a fractured skull, internal bleeding and tearing to her liver.

Judge Michael O'Grady described Park’s actions as wicked beyond all imagining.

He said: "It is the misfortune of those of us who practise in these courts to see and hear of, day after day, the dreadful things that human beings can do, one to another.

"But even by those awful standards what you have done is wicked beyond all imagining.

"A child in your care looked to you for comfort, protection and probably even love. And, instead for some reason quite beyond comprehension, you inflicted upon her a callous, cruel and no doubt terrifying death.

"It is said so often - because it is true - no sentence that I can impose can change anything for Madison and those who loved her and from whom she has been taken.

"In reality, no sentence I can impose can truly reflect the sheer awfulness of what you have done."

Following the sentencing it was revealed that Park had 38 previous convictions.

Nicky Patrick, procurator fiscal for High Court cases in the East of Scotland, said: "Madison Horn was a typical two-year-old girl, full of energy and vitality. She has now been robbed of her future by Kevin Park, a man who was in a position of trust and supposed to be looking after her.

"The murder of such a defenceless child has caused shock and disbelief amongst her family and the local community.

"Park denied the murder but was successfully prosecuted, having been found guilty by the Court after trial and must now start to pay for the consequences of his violent act.“

Madison’s mother, Anne-Marie White, said in a statement: "This has been a very hard and difficult time for the family and friends of Madison.

"We are pleased that justice has been served.

"I would also like to express my gratitude to everyone that helped with Madison's case and also to thank the Kelty community for being so supportive."

A significant case review is to be carried out into the child’s death.