Man given minimum of 20 years for murder of two-year-old

A man convicted of the murder of a two-year-old girl has been given a minimum prison term of 20 years at Belfast Crown Court.

Ali Jayden Doyle died from severe head injuries inflicted by Darryn John Armstrong, 35, at a house in Park Avenue in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, in August 2021.

Passing sentence at Belfast Crown Court, Mr Justice McAlinden said Armstrong, whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison, had not shown "one scintilla of regret or remorse" for his actions.

Armstrong sat in the dock with his head bowed, with his hands covering his ears for most of the sentence hearing.

At the same hearing, the child's mother Jade Dempsey, 28, was given a three-year probation order having admitted a charge of willful neglect of her daughter.

Dempsey, whose address cannot be reported for legal reasons, cried as she confirmed she would accept the terms of the order.