Mum found guilty of murdering five-year-old son in Oldham

Claire Scanlon, 38, of Elm Road, Limeside, appeared in court via a link as she heard the jury deliver their verdict this afternoon (July 12).

It means the mum will be sentenced to prison for his murder.

Dylan was found on that New Year's Eve 2021 at Elm Road with 64 separate injuries to his head and body, though mirtazapine toxicity has been determined as his ultimate cause of death.

Scanlon was charged with one count one murder, along with alternative charges of one count of manslaughter, one count of child cruelty for repeated assault and one count of child cruelty for neglecting/failing to seek medical assistance.

Judge Amanda Yip said she will sentence Scanlon this Friday (July 14).

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The jury were sent out to begin deliberations at around 3.30pm on Monday (July 10) afternoon.

At around 3.30pm today, the jury returned with their verdict, finding Scanlon guilty of her son's murder.

During the trial, which began on June 13, the jury heard evidence from people including Dylan's father and Scanlon's ex-partner Gary Keenan, Scanlon's other son Shawn and other family and friends as well as neighbours.

Read our coverage of the trial so far:

• 'You'll never see him again' - chilling message from mum accused of son's murder
• Dad of Oldham boy, 5, recalls devastating moment he learned his son was dead
• Oldham mum accused of murdering son, 5, 'shut herself away'
• Mum accused of murder told hospital worker she 'dropped son from attic'
• Mother admitted she killed son to support worker, trial hears
• Mum accused of murder 'could not explain' anti-depressants in son's system
• Mum accused of murdering son, 5, insists 'I didn't give him drugs'
• Mum accused of killing son questioned over 'just cremate us' letter
• Mum accused of killing son struggled to 'act rationally' before his death
• Accused mother giving son anti-depressants would have been 'planned', trial hears
• Oldham mum accused of son's murder ‘capable of cover up’
• ‘No direct evidence of overdose’, defence in murder trial says

Evidence was also heard from pathologist Dr Charles Wilson, who said Dylan died of an overdose of mirtazapine, an anti-depressant drug Scanlon was prescribed.

Dr Wilson also told the court that Dylan had more than 20 injuries to his head which he believed to be non-accidental injuries that were consistent with injuries suffered by children who are beaten by adults.

In her evidence, Scanlon denied being responsible for Dylan's death and said she did not know how the fatal level of mirtazapine had entered Dylan's body.

Nicola Carter, Senior Crown Prosecutor for North West CPS said: “Claire Scanlon’s role as a parent was to love and protect her son from harm, but she took the ultimate step to take her young son Dylan away from her ex-partner.

“She initially told her family that a ladder had fallen on Dylan, then a short time later she told a paramedic that he had fallen down some steps. The truth was that she had deliberately poisoned and beaten him.  

“I would like to offer my sincere sympathies to Dylan’s loved ones including his grandfather, father and brother who gave evidence at the trial. They not only have to come to terms with his loss, but also the manner in which he died.”