A monster “mother” and Droitwich child killer, Carla Scott, was convicted of murdering her nine-year-old son, who was discovered with 50 injuries on his body. Alfie Steele endured physical assaults with belts, sliders and flip-flops, in addition to being subjected to more nefarious types of punishment.
He was reportedly immersed in cold water baths while unclothed and compelled to remain outdoors at night, subjected to being doused with cold water.
The youth perished when law enforcement was sent to his residence in Droitwich while investigating an allegation that he had fallen asleep in the bathtub in February 2021. Carla Scott, 37, Alfie’s mother from Droitwich, was convicted of manslaughter after being acquitted of murder. Her paedophile partner, Dirk Howell, 43, also referred to as ‘Dean,’ from Aston, was found guilty of her murder.
Carla Scott was additionally found guilty of child cruelty offences, which Howell had previously acknowledged. Carla Scott received a cumulative sentence of 27 years’ imprisonment for manslaughter and child cruelty, with a minimum term of 17 years. Paedophile Dirk Howell was sentenced to a minimum of 32 years in prison.
UPDATE 25.06.25
A police force that frequently interacted with the family of a nine-year-old kid, who was subsequently murdered in his residence, failed to adequately teach front-line officers to recognise the evident child abuse the youngster was suffering, according to a study by a police oversight body.
Alfie Steele was murdered by his mother and her lover at their residence in Droitwich, Worcestershire, in 2021, and the couple was incarcerated two years subsequently.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) reviewed twenty instances of interaction between West Mercia Police and Alfie and the couple, concluding that there was “no indication of misconduct” by any officer.
Alfie’s grandfather, Paul Scott, stated: “The report reveals no alterations; it is a misallocation of public funds.”
He informed the BBC that the report had not altered anything and he was “still enduring a persistent nightmare.”
“Had they fulfilled their responsibilities, he would not have perished,” stated Mr. Scott.
“Although nothing can restore Alfie, we had hoped for change to prevent the death of another child.”
The nine-year-old endured months of abuse and perished after being submerged in the bath at his residence in February 2021.
He had suffered years of maltreatment and sustained over 50 injuries on his body at the time of his demise.
Carla Scott, Alfie’s mother, was incarcerated for manslaughter, while her partner, Dirk Howell, received a minimum sentence of 32 years for murder in June 2023.
Mr. Scott expressed his desire for someone to be held responsible for his grandson’s demise.
He enquired, “What is the structure of authority within the police?”No one is assuming accountability. No one is acquiring knowledge; I do not wish to activate my television and witness the death of another youngster.
The IOPC reported that it investigated incidents involving the force’s interaction with Alfie, his mother, or Howell from March 2018 to February 2021, prompted by concerns expressed by apprehensive neighbours and witnesses.
A new police officer or police community support officer (PCSO) attended to each call, and Alfie was never addressed by any officer individually.
A spokeswoman stated, “Alfie’s mother frequently responded to enquiries on his behalf, resulting in his voice never being heard by the police.”
“The pervasive atmosphere of fear within the household frequently resulted in Alfie being in bed, purportedly asleep, during numerous instances when the police were summoned.”
The IOPC stated that its inquiry identified areas for the force to enhance training for officers in recognising child abuse.
They encompass affixing warning indicators on police logs and emphasising that a child at a specific household is under a child protection plan.
They also urge that West Mercia Police’s rules on referrals to children’s services be evaluated to guarantee their adequacy, a conclusion that the force has acknowledged and implemented.
Derrick Campbell, an IOPC director, stated: “We found no evidence of misconduct by any individual officer; however, we recommended that eight police constables and two PCSOs engage in reflective practice to assess their handling of interactions related to Alfie.
“We believe that upon arriving at the residence, officers should have devised a method to communicate with Alfie privately, adhering to standard practices.
Mr. Campbell stated that the force has subsequently trained hundreds of additional officers and is dedicated to ensuring that all personnel are familiar with Alfie’s narrative, as well as guaranteeing that children are afforded a voice in all welfare assessments.
The IOPC investigation commenced in July 2023, subsequent to a mandatory referral from West Mercia Police.
A BBC investigation previously revealed that police and social workers were alerted over 60 times by members of the public who were apprehensive about the potential mistreatment of the nine-year-old.
Freedom of Information requests by the BBC revealed that Worcestershire County Council was contacted 36 times between 2018 and 2020 by individuals expressing concerns about his welfare.
West Mercia Police received 28 contacts within the same three-year period.
In a statement on Tuesday, the police indicated that subsequent to Alfie’s death, it conducted a review resulting in “substantial changes and training” for officers to ensure comprehensive understanding of the indicators of child abuse and vulnerability.
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