Liam Fee murder: Child killers Nyomi and Rachel Fee jailed for 47 and a half years for the murder of toddler Liam

Rachel Fee has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 23 and a half years for the horrific killing of her two-year-old son Liam.

The pair subjected the toddler to more than two years of abuse and neglect.

Her civil partner Nyomi was also sentenced to 24 years in prison after the pair were found guilty of assault and murder following a seven week trial at the High Court in Livingston. 

Two-year-old Liam died at his home near Glenrothes, Fife, on March 22, 2014 after suffering heart injuries similar to those found on road crash victims.

The twisted couple denied killing Liam and blamed his death on one of two other young boys living in the property, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The Fee's were also found guilty of a catalogue of cruelty against two boys in their care, including the one they blamed for Liam's death.

A jury of eight women and six men found them guilty by majority of assault and murder.

Both women were sentenced at Edinburgh High Court this morning. 

The seven-week-long trial was aided by child witnesses after the Fee's blamed Liam's death on another young boy.

The pair claimed the boy had acted in a sexualised way towards Liam and terrified the child into confessing to police that he strangled Liam which was proven not to be the cause of death. 

Speaking after sentencing Jennifer Harrower, Procurator Fiscal for Homicide and Major Crime said: “This was a hugely challenging case involving the tragic death of a very young boy.

“The complex nature of the evidence was made all the more difficult by the accused callously blaming the murder on an entirely innocent young child in their care."

Lord Burns told the couple they had subjected the children to "a cruel and pitiless regime of ill treatment and neglect".

Under oath the couple admitted serious failings over the lack of medical help sought for Liam which included failing to get help for the toddler when they knew he had a broken leg and fractured arm.

Evidence found on their mobile phones showed internet searches for "how do you die of a broken hip", "how long can you live with a broken bone?", and "can wives be in prison together?".

Evidence also showed a signifcant delay between the reported discovery of Liam's body and a hysterical phone call to emergency services placed by Rachel at 8pm that night.

The twisted pair used the time instead to dismantle a makeshift cage they had built to imprison the primary school aged child they falsely accused of killing Liam. 

Detective Inspector Rory Hamilton who led the investigation said: "The thoughts of all those connected to our investigation remain with Liam's wider family and those who knew him during his short life.

"The sentences today reflect the seriousness of the crimes committed by Rachel and Nyomi Fee; they also reflect the joint commitment of Police Scotland and partners to bringing to justice those who commit acts of violence against the most vulnerable in our communities. 

"I would again commend the two young boys whose evidence played such a vital part in securing the convictions and bringing their abusers, and the women who murdered Liam, to justice."

The trial heard a number of people had expressed concern for Liam's welfare while he lived at the property.

Fife Council is now reviewing how it handled the case. 

Matt Forde, Head of Service for NSPCC Scotland said: “Those responsible for Liam’s brutal murder have quite rightly received long jail terms. It is incomprehensible how two people who were meant to look after the children in their care could subject them to such appalling abuse."

“Fife Child Protection Committee has already begun a Significant Case Review into this case and it is vital that the investigation is carried out thoroughly so action can be taken to prevent other children from suffering as Liam did before his murder, his short life scarred by neglect, abuse and violence."