A CO Tyrone toddler murdered by her mother’s boyfriend was killed in a “gross, cruel, brutal” act which was “totally devoid of humanity,” a court heard on Thursday.
Two-year-old Ali Jayden Doyle died from a severe head injury she sustained in a house in the Park Avenue area of Dungannon in August 2021.
Darryn John Armstrong (35) initially blamed Ali Jayden’s one-year old brother for causing the fatal wound by throwing a plastic toy at her which caused her to fall against a fireplace.
The murder occurred in Armstrong’s home and Belfast Crown Court heard that the two children had been left in his care by their mother Jade Dempsey - which was in breach of a Child Protection Plan imposed by social services which banned Armstrong from having contact with the youngsters.
He has 77 previous convictions includes charges of domestic abuse and was the subject of a Probation Order when he murdered Ali Jayden.
Despite his initial claims, Armstrong later admitted that on the morning of August 6, 2021 he had Ali Jayden in his arms and that he threw the child who hit her head on the fireplace.
He also admitted that he was under the influence of cannabis at the time, was ‘frustrated’ and lost his temper.
Armstrong, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry, was handed a life sentence in May after he admitted murdering Ali Jayden.
Dempsey (28), whose address is the subject of a reporting restriction, wasn’t present when her daughter was killed as she was due to travel to Belfast to buy a double-buggy.
She pleaded guilty to wilfully neglecting and exposing Ali Jayden Doyle in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health on August 6, 2012.
Both defendants will be sentenced on the charges at a later date by Mr Justice McAlinden.
During Thursday’s plea hearing, the senior judge was addressed by a Crown barrister as well as defence barristers representing both Armstrong and Dempsey.
Crown barrister Ciaran Murphy KC said Ali Jayden was murdered some time around 10.45am - when Armstrong sent Dempsey a video on WhatsApp of the toddler sitting on the sofa - and 11.04am when Armstrong called 999 for an ambulance.
When the paramedics arrived, Armstrong said Ali Jayden’s brother had thrown a toy at his sister which caused her to fall and hit her head on the fireplace.
They were led to a bedroom where they located Ali Jayden who lying on a bed and covered with a towel and with wet hair.
Armstrong - who was described by paramedics as ‘frantic’ - said he had to call Dempsey, who arrived a short time later after running back to the scene from the bus stop.
He also told medics that he had thrown a cup of water round Ali Jayden in a bid to rouse her.
Mr Murphy said a doctor then arrived at 11.39am and the toddler was transferred via ambulance to the Royal Victoria Hospital but later died from a severe head injury.
The Crown KC told Mr Justice McAlinden that those who treated Ali Jayden determined that the nature of the fatal head injury was not compatible with Armstrong’s version of events.
Following his arrest on suspicion of murder, Armstrong denied any wrongdoing but he subsequently admitted her murder.
Armstrong claimed his dogs came into the room and started ‘going hyper’, the two children ‘started to scream’ and that he ‘threw’ Ali Jayden who ‘hit her head on the fireplace.’
Mr Murphy said that whilst there was “no definite account” of what Armstrong did, “suffice it to say, on any assessment it was gross, cruel, brutal and catastrophic .. and it must rank as an action that was totally devoid of humanity upon a defenceless and vulnerable child..”
Mr Justice McAlinden was then addressed by Brian McCartney KC, who represented Armstrong and who said his client accepted responsibility for what he did.
Describing Armstrong’s upbringing and background as “dysfunctional”, the defence barrister said this included periods in foster care and attending specialist schools.
Mr McCartney also spoke of Armstrong’s “long-standing history of abusing both drugs and alcohol.”
Dempsey’s barrister Gavan Duffy KC she “relives the consequences” every day.
After listening to the submissions, Mr Justice McAlinden said he would pass sentence at a later date.