Cruelty charge dropped against pair

IN a dramatic day in court, the jury were ordered to enter not guilty verdicts to one count of cruelty to a child in relation to both defendants.

The charge – one of three cruelty allegations Whelan and Lee faced at the start of the trial - relates to a burn Tyler received on his toe in January 2011. It was said to have been caused by a radiator.

It was alleged both Whelan and Lee did not act quickly enough in getting medical attention for the injury. However, following legal arguments, the judge Mr Justice Nicol said after hearing evidence in the case and how Tyler had been taken to the doctors shortly after receiving the injury, he said neither defendant had a case to answer in relation to that charge.