INNOCENCE GUILTY AT 71 Killer of toddler is brought to justice 50 years on... thanks to a pic on Facebook

A CHILD abuser who evaded justice for nearly 50 years was jailed for life yesterday for murdering his toddler stepson by swinging him by the ankles against a fireplace.

David Dearlove, 71, was convicted of killing tragic Paul Booth in 1968 during a campaign of cruelty against the 19-month-old and his elder siblings Peter and Stephanie.

The sadist’s brutal actions came to light in 2015 when a relative posted a photo on Facebook showing Paul on Dearlove’s knee.

Peter was so incensed he went to police for the third time and gave a vivid account of seeing his brother’s sickening murder.

This time he was finally taken seriously.

Peter, 53, and Stephanie, 51, yesterday said they were “delighted” at Dearlove’s convictions for murder and cruelty.

A statement continued: “[Paul] was not given the opportunity to live his life due to the cruel and wicked actions of David Dearlove. This was a man who entered Paul’s life and was supposed to act as a father figure. A man who was supposed to care for him and look after him. Instead of doing this, he ended Paul’s life in the most violent way.”

The youngster’s final resting place “remains unknown”, they said, before adding: “His memory will never be forgotten. He can now rest in peace.” Dearlove was arrested in 2015. He claimed Paul had collapsed and died downstairs at their home in Stocktonon-tees, County Durham.

This conflicted with his account in 1968 when he told police the toddler fell out of bed and hit his head. When brought to trial, he was forced to tell jurors he “could not remember” how Paul had died.

But Peter did remember, and has been haunted ever since. At the age of three, he had crept downstairs to see Dearlove swinging his little brother by the ankles in the living room and smashing his head against the fireplace. The impact caused catastrophic brain injuries. Peter told the jury: “Paul let out a yelp and then my mother screamed when she came out of the kitchen. It was a horrible thud as his head hit. Paul was then on the floor with his arms by his

Peter Booth at court