George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

Considering the charge of child cruelty, the judge says the extreme harm and gratuitous degradation of Ethan, along with the violence, put it in the highest category.

"I've seen no remorse," the judge tells Michael Ives.

George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

Mr Justice Griffiths says he had to ask whether Michael and Kerry Ives intended to kill their grandson.

"I'm sure the intention was to kill," he concluded.

George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

Describing the fatal attack, the judge says: "Michael did it. Kerry was sat next to him on the sofa. She was the partner in this crime. Although it was Michael who struck the blow, she smiled.

"It was an act that would horrify any independent bystander."

George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

Ethan was "a shadow of the chubby healthy child he had been" in the days before he fatally collapsed, says Mr Justice Griffiths.

"The violence was getting worse, more frequent and harsh," added the judge.

Image source, North Wales Police

George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

The court hears how social services officers were prevented from seeing Ethan by the "lies" of the family.

This included keeping one social worker on the doorstep for 45 minutes, the judge says.

George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

Both Kerry and Shannon supported Michael Ives' treatment of the two-year-old, says the judge.

"The change in Ethan was becoming too terrible to ignore," he added.

The judge says Michael Ives was responsible for the worst violence against Ethan, but Kerry Ives was also seen hitting the child.

Michael Ives was captured on CCTV treating Ethan "like a rag doll or a bag of rubbish" says the judge.

George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

The judge says: "Shannon knew her parents were physically capable of abusing children, because that was her experience growing up.

"Shannon knew Ethan was not safe with her parents."

George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

The judge described the actions of Michael and Kerry Ives as a "campaign to break him", with text messages from Michael stating Ethan would have to "learn the hard way".

"Ethan was being beaten, he was being starved, and he was being deprived fluids," he said.

George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

The judge says: "Ethan Ives-Griffiths was a two-year-old with an independent spirit. He was brave and resilient with a strong character.

"The people hitting him didn't like the little boy standing up for himself. All the hopes and promise of the life he should have had were taken from him.

"You his grandparents Michael and Kerry Ives murdered him. You Shannon Ives allowed it."

Here are the three defendants who are about to be sentenced - Michael, Kerry and Shannon Ives.

They are the grandparents and mother of Ethan Ives-Griffiths.

The judge has begun addressing the trio ahead of sentencing.

Image source, North Wales Police

Brendon Williams reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

For the first time since court sat, Ethan's gran Kerry Ives is showing some emotion.

She entered the dock crying, wiping her face with a tissue.

As we wait for the judge to hand out the sentences, here's Ethan's aunt, Becky Shone.

She spoke to BBC Wales after Ethan's death, saying more needs to be done to prevent other children dying.

Brendon Williams reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

All mitigation has now been heard.

The judge indicates he will start delivering the three sentences in about 20 minutes.

Brendon Williams reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

Just as her parents did when evidence about them was discussed, Shannon Ives appears emotionless.

A dock officer has just poured her a glass of water.

Her father Michael Ives continues to sit with his arms folded, and no emotion is visible on the face of Kerry Ives either.

George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

"She is a woman who has an extremely low range full IQ," says Mr Cole.

"She is a woman who has difficulty with cognitive ability.

"She is a young woman who suffers from anxiety, depression."

Mr Cole says that did not excuse her failings, but should be considered when sentencing.

George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

Gordon Cole is now on his feet offering mitigation for Ethan's mother Shannon Ives.

"She does know she is going to receive a prison sentence," he says.

"She is a young woman who is terrified of that situation."

George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

Court proceedings are about to resume.

We will bring you updates as they happen.

Hywel Griffith
BBC News' Wales Correspondent

Following today's sentencing, a child practice review will take place, to allow the authorities to learn from what happened to Ethan.

The children’s commissioner for Wales says she is concerned lessons from previous reviews, such as the one which followed five-year-old Logan Mwangi’s death, are not being learnt as Wales doesn’t have a single child protection authority.

“We have a risk currently that we are not learning or disseminating those lessons effectively,” Rocio Cifuentes told BBC News.

“They may happen in one regional safeguarding board area but those lessons are not shared with other areas, so there’s a risk that children are not being protected as well as they could be because we just don’t have that national robust system.”

The Welsh government says “safeguarding people from abuse, neglect, and other forms of harm is a continually evolving area of practice".

A spokesperson added: "We have today announced a review of safeguarding arrangements, to ensure our systems remain effective, responsive, and focused on achieving the best outcomes."

Image source, PA Media

While the court is taking a break for lunch, let's recap on what we've heard so far:

• After a delay, Ethan's grandparents Michael and Kerry Ives and mother Shannon Ives were brought into the dock
• Michael and Kerry Ives are being sentenced for Ethan's murder, and Shannon for allowing his death
• Ethan's dad Will Griffiths read an emotional statement, saying "what happened to Ethan changed everything in my life"
• Mr Griffiths said he'd never come to terms with the loss of his son

• The court hears that the Ives' home was controlled by "violence and fear" and Ethan's final days were "thoroughly miserable"
• Shannon Ives will not get a life sentence, but the court is told she "did nothing to stop" her parents killing her son and she could have saved his life
• Prosecutor Caroline Rees pointed out a minimum term of 15 years should be in place for the murderers, and Michael Ives' defence barrister said he accepted this
• Michael Ives' defence barrister added he was "struggling with his mental health" at the time of Ethan's murder
• Kerry Ives' defence barrister said there should be "significant distinction" between her sentence and her husband's, but added there are "no excuses for her acts of failure"

George Herd reporting from Mold Crown Court
Reporter

The court is now taking a break until around 14:00.

Following this, the judge will hear Shannon Ives' mitigation from her defence barrister.

He will then retire to consider the sentences he will hand out to Ethan's mum and grandparents.