Funeral held for toddler murdered by father

Damion Russell died in hospital

A toddler who was murdered by his father has been laid to rest.

Damion Russell's tiny coffin was brought to St Cuthbert's Church in Lytham, Lancashire, earlier, where dozens of mourners gathered to pay their final respects to the two-year-old.

A horse-drawn carriage arrived for the service adorned in blue and white.

Damion was subjected to a "horrifically violent" attack within months of his father Daniel Hardcastle, 31, gaining sole custody of the child. He was sentenced to a minimum term of 22 years in July.

Sentencing Hardcastle at Preston Crown Court, Judge Mrs Justice Hill said Damion was "covered in injuries top to toe and front to back".

"The pathologist identified some 80 separate injuries at post mortem," she said.

A white horse-drawn carriage carried Damion's coffin to the service

Daniel Hardcastle was granted sole custody of Damion three months before his death.

Damion was found unresponsive on Central Drive, Blackpool, on 19 August 2023 and later died in hospital.

During his trial, Hardcastle claimed he had fallen and banged his head on a coffee table.

However, doctors found extensive injuries on Damion, including an adult bite mark and fractured ribs.

The court heard Hardcastle either forcefully shook the toddler and banged his head, or caused Damion’s head to come into contact with a solid object.

Hardcastle was granted sole custody of Damion three months before his death.

A Blackpool Council child safeguarding practice review of the case is expected to conclude by end of the year.