Wolverhampton Man Admits Toddler Murder

7 June 2017, 12:38 | Updated: 7 June 2017, 13:33

A Wolverhampton man, who used violence to "toughen up" children, has pleaded guilty to murdering his partner's two year old son.

30 year old Chevase Sanchez McGregor admitted beating Jeremiah Regis-Ngawa to death in November, after the boy died from severe trauma to his stomach.

Jeremiah was found at the family home on High Street in Wednesfield, and had suffered a catalogue of injuries, including a fractured skull, fractured ribs, injuries to his legs and arms, and a bite mark to his chest.

The court heard that McGregor employed physical abuse to try and "toughen children up", and used his fists and items such as a belt and a rod to discipline Jeremiah and three other children who he had contact with.

Jeremiah, described as a ‘little smiler’ had suffered at McGregor’s hands since he renewed a relationship with his mother in 2016, after she moved to Wolverhampton from London.

Sindyann Laverne Regis, 26, had already pleaded guilty to allowing the death of her son at an earlier hearing.

Detective Inspector Warren Hines, from West Midlands Police's homicide team, said: “The death of one so young is always tragic, but it’s horrifying to think of the amount of violence and suffering this child must have endured in the hands of someone he should have been able to trust.

“We believe the fatal assault was inflicted a couple of days before and Jeremiah was left in agony until he succumbed to peritonitis.  Evidence shows that Jeremiah had defensive wounds to his hands and arms, which shows he tried to shield himself from the beatings.

“Evidence shows McGregor was prone to bouts of extreme loss of temper. Sindyann must have known what was happening, we have been told Jeremiah whimpered when McGregor was around and yet she allowed him sole charge and discipline of the toddler.

“Parents are duty bound to care for children and to nurture them into adulthood. The home should be a sanctuary of safety, reassurance and happiness, not a place where they are brutalised and beaten. Jeremiah must have spent his short life absolutely terrified.”

Both McGregor and Regis will be sentenced at a later date.