Hunter McGleenon: Sharyar Ali jailed for at least 13 years for murder

Hunter McGleenon was 11 months old when he was killed in November 2019

A man who murdered his girlfriend's 11-month-old baby in Keady in November 2019 has been told he will spend at least 13 years in prison.

Sharyar Ali, 34, who had an address at Westenra Terrace in Monaghan town, killed baby Hunter McGleenon while he was supposed to be caring for him.

Medical evidence confirmed Hunter had 19 instances of head and neck trauma.

Prosecutors have said they will consider an appeal against the sentence for being "unduly lenient".

The court heard that on the night of the murder Hunter's mother Nicole had gone to her dying grandmother's home.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Hunter's aunt Coleen McGleenon described him as a "shining light".

Hunter's aunt Coleen McGleenon (left) speaking outside the courtroom after the sentencing of Sharyar Ali

She said: "My sister's entire world fell apart.

"Nicole didn't want to live because she just wanted to be with her son."

She added: "The monster who murdered a defenceless baby will at some point get to go on to live his life whilst we will continue to breathe and struggle with ours.

"No amount of time will make up for what we have lost."

Gambling while baby sat in a car

The court heard that while in charge of the baby, Ali drove to a number of mobile phone shops and casinos in Monaghan and Louth, often leaving Hunter in the car.

Police gathered evidence of Ali's movements prior to the murder using CCTV footage.

Sharyar Ali is seen entering a casino

The footage showed Ali entering a casino in Castleblayney, where he is seen gambling and losing money for a period of two and a half hours.

During this time, Hunter is left alone in a car outside.

Ali spends two and a half hours in the casino while Hunter is left alone in the car

Ali is seen returning to his car where Hunter had been left alone

Further CCTV footage showed Ali returning to the car.

After sentencing, Det Insp Mark Gibson said: "It's later that night, having returned to the house in Keady, that Hunter's young life is taken."

When Ali arrived at Nicole's grandmother's house the following morning, he said Hunter wasn't breathing.

He was confirmed as dead at Craigavon Area Hospital later that morning.

Ali, who is originally from Pakistan, had been due to go on trial in April, but pleaded guilty after a jury had been installed.

His explanation of the death was that Hunter had fallen from a sofa while having his nappy changed.

'You lost control'

This version of events was dismissed by the judge at Newry Crown Court.

"Your conduct with his care was extremely reckless. You went about your business with mobile phones and went to casinos. You left Hunter in the car," the judge said.

Medical evidence confirmed bruising to several parts of Hunter's body and significant internal injuries caused by trauma.

"They were not caused by Hunter falling off a settee. Death was caused by trauma to the head. You have still not offered a credible explanation for the injuries," the judge added.

"You had a responsibility for Hunter that day. His mother had a difficulty and you agreed to look after him.

"There may have been a sofa incident, I don't know. But it's clear that at some stage you lost control.

Possible sentence appeal

The Pubic Prosecution Service (PPS) said it was considering appealing against the sentence for being too lenient.

In a statement, it said that while sentencing was a matter for judges, the director of public prosecutions can refer cases to the Court of Appeal on "the grounds that they may be unduly lenient".

"An unduly lenient sentence is one that falls outside the range of sentences that a judge, taking into consideration all relevant factors and having regard to sentencing guidance, could reasonably consider appropriate.

"We are considering whether there are is a legal ground to refer the sentence in this case to the Court of Appeal for consideration."