analysis

Liam Fee’s murder was a case that sickened the nation like few before it.

Photographs of the two-year-old published after his death showed him smiling and playing at a nursery.

But his smiles hid the fact that he was being cruelly abused by his own mother and stepmother and that nursery was a sanctuary from cruelty, abuse and neglect.

Before the conviction last year of Rachel and Nyomi Fee, I travelled to Tyne and Wear, where they lived before moving to Fife and returned to briefly while awaiting trial.

I met neighbours so horrified at what they had done they gathered in their hundreds to hound them out of town.

And I met residents in the close-knit community where the couple met distraught that the people they used to regard as friends could commit such horrific acts towards children.

In March 2014, Liam died in agony at the hands of the mother, who should have protected him, and her partner.

Concerns were reported for Liam’s welfare, including by nursery staff and a childminder who cared for him.

But Rachel and her domineering civil partner Nyomi were devious. They excused away injuries. They sidestepped appointments with professionals, while appearing to cooperate.

After his death, their evil lies continued. They tried to blame another child but eventually their story unravelled.

Jurors saw through yet more lies as the couple tried to escape justice, and convicted them of murder.

The review of Liam’s case states professionals involved with the family missed opportunities to intervene.

But, ultimately, there are only two people responsible for Liam’s tragic life being cut so short.