Man jailed after drowning autistic grandson in bath two days before Christmas

Stewart Greene will serve at least 22 years in prison, after he admitted to killing grandson Alex Robinson just two days before Christmas.

A court heard how Alex's mother left her son in the care of 65-year-old Greene while she went out to buy a turkey.

According to prosecutors Greene immediately ran a bath for the youngster, running "both taps to fill the bath even more quickly".

He then reportedly walked his grandson into the bathroom, before drowning him.

According to the prosecutor, Greene then sat down on the sofa, rolled a cigarette and told his daughter on her return: "I've drowned Alex in the bath."

Sentencing Greene, Judge Mrs Justice Thirlwall said: "The callousness cannot be overstated.

"During the course of this trial, you have sought to manipulate everyone in the court room.

"You manipulate people to get what you want. This was not the product of mental illness, it was wholly your responsibility.

"You describe yourself as having been selfish all your life, of that there is not the slightest doubt."

According to the prosecutor, Greene told his daughter: "I've drowned Alex in the bath."

Alex's mother told how she had pleaded with staff not to let her father out of a psychiatric unit just one month before the attack.

A statement from the family read: "We would like to say thank you for all the support from well-wishers during what has been a very difficult period for us as a family, in order to get justice for Alex.

"We were privileged to have had Alex, if only for a short time.

"Nothing will ever make up for the loss of Alex and this has left a huge hole in our lives.

"Alex's sister has been left without her brother whom she idolised and we will continue to keep his memory alive in everything that we do. Shine bright, little boy."

Our thoughts are with Ms Greene and her family.