Ben Butler jailed for murdering daughter Ellie after custody battle

Ben Butler had a conviction for shaking Ellie when she was a baby quashed

A father who murdered his six-year-old daughter just 11 months after she was returned to his care following a custody battle has been jailed. 

Ben Butler, 36, inflicted catastrophic head injuries upon Ellie while looking after her at their home in Sutton, south-west London, in October 2013.

Ellie Butler had been living with grandparents before she was returned to Butler and Gray

He was also found guilty of child cruelty over a shoulder injury, as was Ellie's mother Jennie Gray. He was jailed for a minimum of 23 years. Gray was jailed for 42 months. Gray, a graphic designer, had admitted perverting the course of justice.

Gray had admitted perverting the course of justice

Following the guilty verdict earlier, Butler shouted out: "I'll fight for the rest of my life - unbelievable," before adding: "I want to be sentenced now so I can fight in the Appeal Court."

The couple had tried to cover up the death by lying to police

He added: "I will fight forever to prove this wrong. My daughter was jumping in the house. I'm 100% not guilty." Gray said: "Big mistake. Spend another 10 years proving you wrong."

Butler was previously convicted for shaking Ellie as a baby, although this was later quashed on appeal. The couple then won a High Court judgement to have Ellie returned to their care in 2012.


Mrs Justice Hogg had sided with Butler despite objections from police, social services and Ellie's maternal grandfather, Neal Gray. At the time, Mr Gray - who had cared for Ellie since she was a baby - had allegedly warned the judge she would have "blood on your hands".