22 Years For Madison Horn Murder

Kevin Park, 27, will spend a minimum of 22 years in prison for murdering toddler Madison Horn.

It took jurors an hour to find him guilty of pulling Madison's hair, striking her head against a wall, biting her and repeatedly striking her at the family home in Kelty.

Judge Michael O'Grady said Park's actions were "wicked beyond all imagining", and that Madison suffered "a callous, cruel and no doubt terrifying death."

The Hiigh Court in Glasgow heard Madison died on April 20 after being taken to hospital with massive brain and internal injuries.

Jurors heard she died of blunt force trauma to the head and abdomen, and had 65 separate injuries including a fractured skull, tears to her liver and bruising.

Park, who was the boyfriend of Madison's mum Ann Marie White, claimed she had fallen off a bed while he was looking after her alone.

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Scott Cunningham, called it "an extremely traumatic and heart-breaking investigation."

He said: "First and foremost my thoughts are with Madison’s family at this difficult time. Kevin Park was trusted to look after, care for and protect a two-year old girl.

"He didn’t do that. What he did to a defenceless child is unimaginable, despicable and beyond any understanding. 

"Following a major investigation, significant medical, scientific and forensic evidence was recovered and confirmed that he was solely responsible for causing extensive and horrific injuries which resulted in Madison's death.

"He tried to cover up his callous and extremely violent behaviour and actions, not only with disguising the truth by claiming Madison had fallen from a bed, but also by pretending to provide First Aid, while showing no remorse at any point"