The wild eyes of dad who killed his little girl
THIS is the police mugshot showing the wild and staring eyes of child killer William Billingham - taken after his arrest for murdering his daughter Mylee.
The 55-year-old was found guilty of her murder by a jury following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
He was due to be sentenced by Judge Paul Farrer this morning.
The jurors who convicted Billingham were not told he had cut his wrists in his cell using razor blades part way through his trial.
Billingham underwent surgery after the apparent attempt to end his own life in the early hours of September 21 - a day after his trial was shown CCTV footage of his daughter in a shop on the night he killed her.
The former leather industry worker looked at the floor and covered his eyes with his hands as the two-minute video was shown. Both of his arms were heavily bandaged in court as he stood up to hear a jury convict him of murder. He showed no signs of emotion in the dock but waved at the public gallery as he was led away.
Detective Inspector Jim Colclough, from West Midlands Police’s homicide team, said: “Sadly Billingham has provided little by way of an explanation for what he did throughout. Right from when officers first attended and were desperately trying to administer crucial first aid on his daughter he refused to cooperate or even tell them her name.
“In fact all he could manage to utter was the words ‘COPD’ which relate to a lung condition he suffers from - it demonstrates how selfish he is. His daughter was fighting for her life and all he was concerned with was himself.
“I cannot imagine how painful and difficult this has been for Tracey and her family to comprehend.
“After having to try and come to terms with their loss, Billingham has put them through the ordeal of a very public trial.
“Tracey and her family have dealt with this tremendously, with courage and dignity.
“Mylee’s loss has touched the hearts of so many people, I cannot begin to imagine how her family and friends feel. I hope today’s verdict offers some sense of justice which may in time provide some comfort. However I know they will never come to terms with what has happened.
“A young girl, who had her whole life ahead of her, has been cruelly taken by someone who she loved and trusted, this is a despicable act on a defenceless child.
“The community in Brownhills were left devastated by the loss of Mylee. School friends and the wider community decorated the area with pink ribbons in her memory and a fund was also set up to help pay for her funeral, which was attended by hundreds to pay their respects.”
DI Colclough also commended the bravery of officers on the night who faced a horrific scene.
He added: “I also feel I should mention the professionalism and bravery of the officers and medics who offered assistance to both Mylee and Billingham.
“They were faced with a truly horrifying scene and did everything they could to try and save Mylee.
“Many of these officers are still struggling to come to terms with what happened that night. My own team have also worked tirelessly under very distressing circumstances to bring Billingham to justice.”
Police were called to Billingham’s home in Valley View, Brownhills at 9.15pm on Saturday, January 20 where Mylee was found with serious injuries.
She had been stabbed in the chest and despite the efforts of police and medics she died later that evening in hospital.
The court heard how Billingham was thought to be struggling to cope with his ex-partner, Mylee’s mother, Tracey’s decision to start a new relationship. Although he spoke of accepting it, his actions were plainly hostile to the situation.
Moments before he stabbed Mylee, he threatened to kill Tracey in what had originally appeared to be a normal and civil exchange outside his house. Tracey heard something drop on the floor and was horrified to see it was a kitchen knife at Billingham’s feet.
She slipped over while trying to get away from him at which point Billingham grabbed Mylee and dragged her back into his bungalow.
Billingham was found with Mylee on the kitchen floor, he had a superficial knife wound on his neck and stab injuries to his stomach.
He was taken to hospital and underwent surgery for his injuries. Once fit, he was taken into police custody and interviewed.
He provided an account in interview of the time leading up to the terrible events which took place that evening but claimed to have no knowledge of the events themselves.