'My son was killed by his evil grandparents'

The father of a toddler murdered by his grandparents said he held his son as his life support was switched off and has branded his killers the "evilest people on Earth".

Ethan Ives Griffiths, two, was killed by his grandparents Michael Ives, 47, and Kerry Ives, 46, at their home in Garden City, Flintshire, in August 2021.

His mother, Shannon Ives, 28, from Mold, was convicted of causing or allowing Ethan's death and child cruelty.

Ethan's father, Will Griffiths, 29, from Flint, said he partly blamed himself for the death and claimed he warned Flintshire social services the toddler was not safe with his grandparents. Flintshire council said it was co-operating with a child practice review.

Mr Griffiths also said "the way they treated him is like a bunch of chimpanzees, just playing with him and everyone having a go like it's a toy".

Ethan suffered a catastrophic brain injury at his grandparents' home on 14 August 2021, and died in hospital two days later.

He was severely malnourished and underweight, and had more than 40 injuries on his body.

Ethan went to live with his grandparents in June 2021 after a domestic dispute which saw Shannon Ives separate from Mr Griffiths. A few weeks later, Shannon Ives also moved in.

The family's own CCTV was played during the trial showing Ethan's grandfather repeatedly carrying the little boy by one arm in a manner which the prosecution said was like "a bag of rubbish".

He was also seen to apparently encourage another child to strike Ethan, who was regularly made to stand in stress positions and keep his hands above his head as a form of punishment.

Describing watching the images in court, Mr Griffiths said it was the "worst thing" he had ever seen a person do to a child.

"My stomach turns just thinking about the way he carried him over and over again. I know it would have hurt a lot," he said.

He added: "I don't think you'd even see this in prisoners of war. I really don't think you would.

"It's very, very disturbing to think that these are people that were supposed to love him.

"And they've shown everything but love to him."

The prosecutor said Ethan's fatal brain injury on 14 August must have been caused by a "forceful attack".

His grandparents claimed he simply "collapsed" while watching TV at their home.

The following day, Mr Griffiths was phoned by his ex-partner Shannon Ives to say Ethan had fallen and was in hospital.

He said on the way to hospital he picked up a get well soon card, thinking Ethan had had a "little fall" and was going to be OK.

As he walked into the hospital room Mr Griffiths said he did not recognise his son, who he had not seen for 10 weeks.

"I couldn't believe it was my son. It didn't look like Ethan," he said.

"He was completely different from head to toe. There was no weight there. There was nothing of him... completely covered in bruises.

"It was a sight of horror."

The following day Mr Griffiths was called to hospital with members of his family and a decision was made to remove Ethan's life support, after doctors said there was nothing more they could do.

"The decision is by far the hardest thing I've ever decided on, and still to this day and to the day I die, I will regret making that decision," he said.

"I still see the image in my head. I still have the exact time in my head like it was yesterday.

"I got the chance to hold him while he took his final breath. At least he knew in his final moment somebody he loved was actually holding him."

The six-week trial heard there was social services involvement with Shannon Ives and Mr Griffiths, and their children.

There had been an allegation of domestic abuse against Mr Griffiths, and he was also accused of being aggressive towards a social worker on 9 June 2021 - which led to him being arrested and his family moving out, eventually ending up with Michael and Kerry Ives.

Other allegations were also made, including that he abused Shannon Ives, and had physically thrown Ethan. He denies all the allegations heard in court and no further action was taken after his arrest.

When asked why, if all the allegations were untrue, his partner and children left, he replied: "Her family like to get into her head."

He said they would "make up all kinds of stuff to make sure I don't get to see my children" but that he had always maintained his innocence.

Mr Griffiths said his relationship with Michael Ives was "sour from day one", when he first got together with Shannon Ives, aged 18.

The couple went on to have three children together.

Mr Griffiths said Ethan was a "beautiful little boy" who had the "biggest of smiles".

"He was a very, very loving boy and he was always wanting to do something. We said he had ants in his pants. He was always wanting to be running around and jumping around playing.

"Like any child would. He was just full of life, absolutely full of life."

He described Ethan as "sassy" and "boisterous" and that he loved nothing more than a cuddle.

"Ethan was in his best element with his wellies on in the garden, no matter the weather," he said.

Mr Griffiths said one of the happiest moments of his life was when Ethan and his other children were all playing in the garden one summer.

"We were having a great laugh, enjoying the sunshine, soaking it all in.

He added: "We were just so happy.

"It was the first summer we'd all had together.

"We had no distractions, no-one else. It was just me and my children. That was all."

Michael and Kerry Ives and their daughter Shannon Ives are all due to be sentenced on 3 October.

Mr Griffiths said he thought Michael and Kerry Ives were "arguably, the evilest people on Earth".

"They are vile and disgusting, evil pieces of trash.

"They don't deserve to still be able to breathe our air while my son doesn't get to.

"It's a very horrible thing that they still get life, whereas my son doesn't."

He said he hoped they would spend the rest of their lives in prison.

"I don't think any punishment could make up for what they've done".

He said when it came to Ethan's mum Shannon Ives he felt a "lot of disappointment".

"I would say I'm angry, but it's gone past that. It's gone past anger with her, and I'm just disgusted and disappointed in everything she's done and said and shown."

Mr Griffiths said he blamed himself for "not just turning up to their house" as he now believes he would have been able bring attention to what was going on.

"I do blame myself for quite a lot of nothing happening," he said.

In a statement, Flintshire council said it was "inconceivable that his young life was taken by those who should have protected him".

The council said it was co-operating with an independent child practice review by the North Wales Safeguarding Board.

"In line with agreed practice the North Wales Safeguarding Board has appointed a panel to review the involvement of agencies," it said.

"The independent reviewers will produce a report identifying their findings and recommendations. The report will be presented to the safeguarding board for scrutiny and assurance."