Review for tortured child's death

Melissa Galyer and Stewart Pirie were jailed at Hull Crown Court

An independent review has opened into how a three-year-old girl could have been tortured and shaken to death, despite a visit from social workers.

Jasmine Galyer suffered a lifetime of neglect and abuse from her mother Melissa Galyer and stepfather Stewart Pirie at their Scunthorpe home.

At Hull Crown Court on Thursday, Pirie, 32, was jailed for eight years for manslaughter and child cruelty.

Galyer, 21, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years for child cruelty.

The court heard the pair took "sick pleasure" in tormenting the girl, while masquerading as loving parents.

A judge was told Jasmine would be kept in the same clothes for days at a time and that her stepfather would punch her when she wet herself in his presence.

Safeguarding children

She died at Sheffield Children's Hospital in February last year.

A post-mortem examination showed brain injuries caused by shaking, equivalent to a child being involved in a car crash, had caused her death.

The court heard social workers visited the home after concerns were raised by neighbours but left finding nothing to support the accusations.

In a statement North Lincolnshire Council said the area child protection committee would be reviewing the case.

"This will look to see if there are lessons to be learned for any agencies involved in safeguarding children," it said.

It said the review would be independent and insisted it would "co-operate fully at all times".