Lucy CollinsRelatives of a two-year-old girl, whose killer was yesterday convicted of her murder, have criticised social workers, accusing them of a "disgusting failure" after claiming to have highlighted their concerns over the child's welfare six months before her death.

Lucy Collins

Relatives of a two-year-old girl, whose killer was yesterday convicted of her murder, have criticised social workers, accusing them of a "disgusting failure" after claiming to have highlighted their concerns over the child's welfare six months before her death.

Demi Leigh Mahon was found with 68 injuries inflicted by a 15-year-old boy after he became fed-up with her behaviour. Her mother, Anne Marie McDonald, left him in charge after she went to the shops in Salford, Greater Manchester.

Karl Roger McCluney was found him guilty of murder at Manchester Crown Court after his plea of guilty to manslaughter were not accepted. He carried out the attack at a house after a visit to the local park on July 15 last year.

Following the verdict, the father of Demi Leigh, Gary Mahon, and her grandmother, Frances Gillon, claimed they had twice contacted Salford City Council with their concerns about Ms McDonald's ability to care for Demi, after learning that police had raided her flat in Eccles.

Mrs Gillon said: "We decided, when we heard that Ann Marie's flat had been raided by police, to go to Eccles and bring Demi home with us.

"We went due to concern from Ann Marie's mum, who is disabled and was unable to care for Demi herself."

She added Ms McDonald was arrested and released on police bail but refused to let them take her daughter.

She said: "It's a disgusting failure by social services. I didn't realise Gary had parental rights and his name was on the birth certificate. If I had known, I would have tried to take Demi with us.

"I phoned social services. I spoke to someone and told him we were concerned about Demi's safety because of the way she was living. He said, I'll get in touch with the police and get back to you'. I've not heard from him.

"I phoned again three weeks before Demi's death. I contacted the out-of-hours emergency line. They said they would get a message through and get back to us.

"The next thing we knew we were in hospital with Demi. I should have followed the phone calls up and made sure someone was doing something. I just wanted them to do something.

"If they required our help, Gary or myself would have been there. There has been no communication.

"It is bad enough not taking any notice of the public, but not to act when the police were warning them as well is appalling. They should have done something. They need their backsides kicking. The police have done their side, making referrals. It was down to social services to act, and they didn't."

Mr Mahon, 41, of Morecambe, Lancashire, broke up with Demi Leigh's mother, because he did not like the company she kept, three months after their daughter was born.

He said: "I could have seen Demi more. I didn't go there like I should have done. But I didn't want to be involved with the kind of people that were going to the flat. I heard that Demi was being left here and left there. He added: "She was always smiling. She was so loveable."

The father called on her murderer to be given a life sentence, despite his young age.

"I think the person who did this to her is evil," he said. "I don't believe he has mental problems - he is playing at it. He is dangerous and in my opinion should get a life sentence."

Salford City Council refused to discuss the case. "Contacts that were made were, for the most part, responded to appropriately but there were occasions on which better actions could have been taken," a council spokesman said.

The boy is to be sentenced at a later date.