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Evil mother who killed son, 5, to spite her ex left note saying: 'I told you I would make you pay'

163 replies

yerblurt · 01/08/2008 11:54

Link here;
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1040170/Evil-mother-killed-son-5-spite-ex-left-note-s aying-I-told-I-make-pay.html

Evil mother who killed son, 5, to spite her ex left note saying: 'I told you I would make you pay'

An evil mother driven by rage and jealousy killed her five-year-old son to spite his father, a horrified coroner heard yesterday.

Emma Hart, 27, force-fed Lewis Dangerfield a lethal cocktail of painkillers and antidepressants at their home, then fled to her mother's flat nearby and ended her own life by slashing her wrists.

In a note to Lewis's father, Shaun Dangerfield, which she left by the boy's body, she wrote: 'I told you I would make you pay, enjoy your life now, nothing is stopping you, ha ha ha. Just remember it's all your fault.'
Lewis Dangerfield
Emma Hart

Spite: Lewis Dangerrfield was given a fatal dose of sleeping pills before his mother Emma Hart slashed her wrists

Coroner Robin Balmain described the case as the most distressing he had ever dealt with in 25 years of inquests. 'I can't imagine something quite so evil as a mother who is prepared to do that.

'Her actions were simply spite - she was prepared to kill her son to spite Mr Dangerfield. I find it difficult to believe how anybody could do that.'

He added that he had heard no evidence to justify any criticism of Mr Dangerfield - not even from Hart's family.

'He has done everything he possibly could to fulfil his obligations to his little boy.

'She couldn't get her way and maybe she was driven by jealousy. She was prepared not only to kill herself but to do something that quite frankly, beggars belief.'

During the inquest at Smethwick, West Midlands, 27-year- old Mr Dangerfield broke down in tears as a policewoman read Hart's last note to him and had to leave the hearing to compose himself.

Giving evidence, he said Hart was troubled and hate-filled during their four-year on-off relationship, was often violent towards him and had repeatedly threatened to commit suicide.

After they separated, she was unhappy about his new partner, who also had a child, and resented Lewis spending time with them.

Hart had also lied to friends about having cancer in an attempt to gain sympathy and force Mr Dangerfield to go back to her, the inquest heard.

He had received a text from her days before the deaths which read: 'I know what to do now for the best x'. He had thought at the time it was an 'amicable' response to a disagreement they had over Lewis's custody arrangements.
Enlarge 005.1ST.01.jpg

But then on a weekend in December last year when he was due to look after Lewis, Hart changed the arrangements saying she was taking him to see Santa Claus.

On the Saturday afternoon, she took a taxi to her mother's home in Tipton and told her family that Lewis was out with his father.

But at 7pm her mother Lynn found her body in her bed, covered in blood with cut wrists.

In a note left by the bed she said she was sorry for taking her own life and confessed to killing Lewis.

It read: 'I'm so sorry for taking Lewis and me away, I just can't take it any more, I'm just not strong enough.'

Police went to Hart's house, where they found Lewis's body on a double bed covered with a duvet. Empty packets of prescription drugs were at the bedside.

Toxicologist Dr Timothy Sheehan said Lewis had consumed nearly ten times the recommended dose of the painkiller Tranadol and antidepressants.

The disturbing note, which his mother had addressed to Mr Dangerfield, also read: 'Did you really think I was going to die and allow you to bring Lewis up and play happy families with you?

'You made your choice, now you can live with it, you can hurt for the rest of your life just like the hell you have put me through the last two years.'

In another note to her family, found next to Lewis, Hart said: 'If you are asking why, look no further than Shaun - a pathetic excuse for a dad. I can't handle it any more - I have been the only one there for Lewis, so it's only right he is with me.

'Don't give Shaun anything - I love you all very much. I had to do it, I couldn't take no more, none of you could have stopped this. Don't none of you blame yourselves.'

Mr Balmain recorded a verdict of suicide for Hart as a result of slitting her wrists but said she had also taken lethal overdoses of morphine, painkillers and antidepressants.

A verdict of unlawful killing was recorded for Lewis.

He said: 'Emma Hart left a note which was severely critical of Mr Dangerfield. I have heard no evidence to justify that view.

The coroner added that Hart was driven by 'rage and hatred if she did not get her own way' and was prepared to lie about her medical condition to Mr Dangerfield - as well as friends and her own family - 'to get control' over him.

Relatives of Hart, including her mother, father, two brothers and two sisters, were all present at the inquest and frequently broke into tears.

Her mother told the inquest: 'She is not a horrible person, she was a loving mum.'

After the hearing, Mr Dangerfield said in a statement: 'Losing the biggest part of your life is haunting to say the least.
'Being told today the exact reasons as to how he was murdered won't bring him back but does bring it to an end.'

... so it's only men who kill their children out of spite is it? No sign of mental illness here, just pure spite and selfishness.

OP posts:
FluffyMummy123 · 01/08/2008 13:12

Message withdrawn

tiggerlovestobounce · 01/08/2008 13:14

Studies of criminals would not support the idea that they are mostly mentally ill.

Coroners will deal with cases involving mentally ill peope fairly frequently so they will have some experience in this area.
They will have been able to get information from the GP if that was relevant.
The coroner said:
'I can't imagine something quite so evil as a mother who is prepared to do that.

'Her actions were simply spite"

I think if there was even a hint that her actions were driven by mental illness that would not have been said.

OrmIrian · 01/08/2008 13:15

I suppose there is a difference between a recognisable mental illness that can be labelled as something. And a general feeling of anger and depression that might or might not be simply as a result of her current circumstances. Presumably the coroner saw no evidence of the former and the latter is maybe common to other people in her situation and doesn't usually drive them to kill or commit suicide. I dont know. It's tempting to see anyone who does something so terrible as mentally ill - but that means that anyone who kills or hurts another person must be similarly ill doesn't it? Sometimes people just do bad things I suppose.

I don't see that it's relevant in this case anyway. It's done. And nothing is going to undo it .

Slouchy · 01/08/2008 13:16

How awful and tragic. For all concerned. And I include the mother, just as I felt many of these fathers who have done the same must have had something wrong with them.

BTW, there is evidence that she was probably ill, even in that horrid Daily Misogynist article. Unless pharmacists give antidepressants out along with Melody Pop lollies these days?

mamadiva · 01/08/2008 13:16

So if she was mentally ill it excuses her?

I remember reading a few years ago about a woman who tied herself up on the cpouch and set fire to it with her baby son on it and killed him then said robbers broke in tied her up and killed him! Oh of course they were screaming she's a singkle mother must be post nbatal depression even when her friends and family came forweard to say the baby was being fed curdled milk and left on the floor with dirty clothes and nappies on all day whilst she sat drinking with random men!

But yet again because she was 'mentally ill' she got away with it all!!! How does that work?

ConstanceWearing · 01/08/2008 13:16

Moreover, if she was purely evil, what was to stop her killing the child before her husband left, and taking the husband out too.

There was a catalyst, and the split with her xp was that catalyst. It's bloody bloody awful that people don't realise what the hell it can do to your head. She needed help. She needed a lot of help for the sake of her poor little boy, who ended up paying the price for society's 'disposable relationship' attitude.

mamadiva · 01/08/2008 13:17

Am sorry for posting all that am just bloody angry at these cases! Far too many of them. Just gets me rowled and upset.

Slouchy · 01/08/2008 13:19

It may provide a reason, not an excuse.The two things are different. I do NOT excuse what has happened (but do think it is bloody sad)

ButterflyMcQueen · 01/08/2008 13:21

there is no way this woman was sane and rational

i feel sorry for her

she did an abhorrent thing but i still feel for her

solidgoldbrass · 01/08/2008 13:21

Oh FFS! What else will you justify in the name of sexual jealousy? Murdering a partner who left you? DOmestic violence is OK as long as it's only because you think or suspect your partner is having sex elsewhere? Planting bombs in your XP's workplace, not caring how many bystanders get hurt?
Actually this attitude is an insult to people who have been hurt and betrayed by XPs but have sufficient self respect (and are not either mad or self-obsessed or total fuckups enough) to resort to violence.

ConstanceWearing · 01/08/2008 13:23

With all due respect, the coroner didn't know this woman from a hole in the ground. Not till after she was dead. If he says there was no sign of mental illness, it probably means there was no 'history' of it, via GP's records etc. In which case she'd probably been suffering with something undiagnosed.

It's just too horrible for all concerned.

BitOfFun · 01/08/2008 13:27

I'm not convinced that it is so black and white as "mentally ill vs. not mentally ill" - even if the medical profession can cluster some "symptoms" together and put a label on them, or, as in this case, not. The point is, her actions weren't those of a healthy person: she seems to have been narcissistic and self-obsessed to such a degree that she couldn't get over this person's rejection of her. We have probably all been there, but equally, most of us have the coping skills to bounce back after a reasonable period of time and get on with our lives.

I think it is sad that some people seem to be almost addicted to melodrama, like they are the stars of their own particular epic soap opera, and they don't know how to deal with the quietness of a relatively normal life where their actions don't force themselves to the forefront of everyone else's mind all the time.

Of course, people should be given every sympathy and support when a relationship ends, but unfortunately. some people are just determined to be (loudly and dramatically) unhappy whatever help they are given, and sadly, I think that is what this woman was probably like. To her, her son was just part of the supporting cast.

ElenorRigby · 01/08/2008 13:29

The mothers note to the father left on thier dead sons body...
"Did you think I was going to die and allow you to bring Lewis up and play happy families?
"You made your choice, now you can live with it. You can hurt for the rest of your life.
"I told you I would make you pay. Enjoy your life now. Nothing is stopping you. Ha ha ha. Just remember, it's all your fault."

She clearly killed the child to spite her ex.

The fathers was not unfaithful, her met his new partner 14 months after he spilt with Emma Hart and the childs auntie said regarding the mental illness theory....
"Can i remind people that the inquest that was held yesterday,that i actually attended,due to it being my brothers son,actually concluded that she had no mental illness,just an over possessive personality,who ran out of threats to taunt my brother with!"

Im fed up with the sentiment that men who kill are evil bastards but that women who kill have to be mentally ill, are women now reduced to always being victims who are therefore devoid of any responsibility for their actions?

Evil acts are not exclusive to either gender.

ButterflyMcQueen · 01/08/2008 13:32

i am astounded that any one could conclude that anyone committing infantacide could be 'of sound mind'

those killing within their family even less so

men and woman alike imo - it is an horrific crime but not one commited by the sane

ConstanceWearing · 01/08/2008 13:34

Mmm, agree actually, BitofFun. Very possible an element of narcissism to it (though I'm no shrink).

DoubleBluff · 01/08/2008 13:36

Tos ay she is mentally ill is to excuse her.
There are evil people out there.
I have dealt with women who pretend they have cancer to get sympathy.
I have dealt with women who abuse their own children.
Women who say they have been raped to get revenge.
They are not mentaly ill they are nasty and twisted.Not all womena reas nice as you and I, they are out for all they can get.

ConstanceWearing · 01/08/2008 13:37

Poor little boy. What a waste of a life. Poor xp too. He must be beside himself, wondering how he could have prevented it.

MsDemeanor · 01/08/2008 13:38

"Moreover, if she was purely evil, what was to stop her killing the child before her husband left, and taking the husband out too."

Because she was doing this to control her ex after her death. She killed the child because he was thing to torment him with forever, not really a person to her. He can't have been, otherwise she wouldn't have forcefed him poison.
As for 'sexual infidelity' driving her to it. Oh come off it. She was by all accounts, a violent fantasist. Was he supposed to have stayed married to a violent fantasist? Would you say that to a woman who a victim of domestic violence?
That poor little boy.

MsDemeanor · 01/08/2008 13:39

And that poor man. She certainly got her wish eh, he will suffer for the rest of his life.

Upwind · 01/08/2008 13:39

Bitoffun - that is one of the best posts I've ever read on MN.

"I think it is sad that some people seem to be almost addicted to melodrama, like they are the stars of their own particular epic soap opera, and they don't know how to deal with the quietness of a relatively normal life where their actions don't force themselves to the forefront of everyone else's mind all the time.

Of course, people should be given every sympathy and support when a relationship ends, but unfortunately. some people are just determined to be (loudly and dramatically) unhappy whatever help they are given, and sadly, I think that is what this woman was probably like. To her, her son was just part of the supporting cast"

I have first hand experience of people like this, who are capable of extraordinary cruelty, simply because they are so narcissistic - they are the centre of their universe and the welfare of others is less important than their own spite.

DoubleBluff · 01/08/2008 13:41

Well said Upwind, and Bitoffun. I know the sort of people you mean.

ConstanceWearing · 01/08/2008 13:41

Hmm, now I'm swithering on the fence, DoubleBluff.

You tend to think women (especially mothers) aren't evil. But what she did was beyond the norm of 'what can I do to pay you back' syndrome. What is the difference? Why can some people think 'I want to do that to pay you back', but know it is completely over the top psycho, whereas others will do it thinking it is justified?

Upwind · 01/08/2008 13:42

Constance - "If the xh / xp had thought she was mad, would he have left the son with her at all? No. He'd have taken his son. "

How could he do this? He was unlikely to have been granted sole custody, so are you suggeting he should have abducted the boy?

ConstanceWearing · 01/08/2008 13:45

Hmm yes, MD. I get your point. I just do rather tend to think that people aren't evil, in general. It makes the world too scary. I'm looking at it from the pov of why I might do it, if it had been me, and it would have been because I was off my trolley. This doesn't count for everyone though, does it?

DoubleBluff · 01/08/2008 13:45

No i DO think women can be evil, without being mentally ill.