Pictured: Killer who showed ‘not a flicker of remorse’ for killing girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter while jailed for 20 years

A man convicted of murdering his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter has been sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison.

Ali Jayden Doyle died from severe head injuries inflicted by Darryn John Armstrong, 35, at a home on Park Avenue in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, in August 2021.

Passing sentence at Belfast Crown Court, Judge McAlinden said Armstrong, whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison, had not shown “a flicker of remorse or remorse” for his actions.

Armstrong sat in the dock with his head bowed, his hands over his ears for most of the sentencing.

At the same hearing, the youngster’s mother, Jade Dempsey, 28, was given a three-year probation order after admitting a charge of willful neglect of her daughter.

Sentencing at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Mr Justice McAlinden said Armstrong, whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison, had not shown “a flicker of remorse or remorse” for his actions.

Ali Jayden Doyle died from severe head injuries. Armstrong initially claimed that Ali’s younger brother Jayden had thrown a toy at him, causing him to lose his balance and fall backwards, hitting his head on the fireplace.

Dempsey, whose address cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, wept as she confirmed she would accept the terms of the order.

Dempsey had left his two young children in Armstrong’s care on the morning of the murder on August 6, 2021, as he planned to travel to Belfast to buy a buggy.

This contravened a child protection plan established by social services which stipulated that Armstrong, who had a history of significant offences, including domestic abuse, should have no contact with children.

Armstrong initially claimed that Ali’s younger brother Jayden had thrown a toy at him, causing him to lose his balance and fall backwards, hitting his head on the fireplace.

He later admitted to throwing the boy against the chimney after losing his temper.

Armstrong further changed his story to claim that he did not remember what happened in the house as he was under the influence of drugs at the time.

However, he pleaded guilty to murder in May this year and received an automatic life sentence.

The 20-year minimum fee will take into account the three years he has already spent in prison before sentencing.

Sentencing on Thursday, the judge said: “We will never know exactly what happened in that house that morning, but it is clear that Darryn Armstrong took that child and inflicted horrendously severe head injuries.”

“The extent of force necessary to inflict these injuries on a two-year-old child is entirely consistent with the intent to kill that child, to murder that child.”

Dempsey pleaded guilty to one count of child cruelty in May, meaning he willfully neglected and exposed Ali Jayden in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury.

At the same hearing, the youngster’s mother, Jade Dempsey, 28, was given a three-year probation order after admitting a charge of willful neglect of her daughter.

Judge McAlinden said that while her “breach” of the Child Protection Plan reached the threshold of a prison sentence, he said sending her back to prison – she has already spent a year on remand – would be “totally useless”.

Describing her as an “exceptionally vulnerable individual”, he said the probation order would ensure she had the support, counseling and therapy she needed.

Outside court, Ali Jayden’s father Dylan Doyle said it had been a “long and very emotional” journey to get justice.

“We as a family will never forget our beautiful baby girl,” he said.

“She will always be in our hearts, we will never be able to accept that such a beautiful child could be taken from us so cruelly while in the so called care of Social Services who were meant to protect my daughter.”

During his sentencing remarks, Judge McAlinden said he was “appalled” by Dempsey’s attempt to “shift the onus” on Social Services, rejecting his claim that he had not been given sufficient warnings about Armstrong.

“It is very obvious that he chose to ignore the extensive and comprehensive warnings that were given to him,” he said.

The judge said she had also lied to Social Services about the nature and extent of contact she and her children had with Armstrong before August 6, 2021.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Kelly gave his reaction to Armstrong’s sentence outside court.

“His cowardly and sickening actions took an innocent young life,” he said.

“He has stolen a child from his older sister and caused unimaginable pain to a loving father and wider family.”