DAD: I WANT ETHAN REMEMBERED AS SMILEY LOVING CHILD HE WAS, NOT FOR HIS SUFFERING

A bereaved father has vowed the memory of his “beautiful Ethan’ will never fade and that his murdered son can now rest in peace after “those monsters” were finally brought to justice.

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William Griffiths was speaking after the two-year-old Flintshire boy's maternal grandparents Michael and Kerry Ives were sentenced for his murder, causing or allowing the death of a child, and child cruelty. Shannon Ives, Ethan’s mum, was sentenced for child neglect.

In a victim personal statement (VPS), Mr Griffiths said: "I feel we are finally able to grieve his passing knowing the persons responsible are being held accountable.

“What happened to Ethan has changed everything in my life. At times | don't feel like that it's real that Ethan is no longer with us and | often find myself thinking | can hear his affectionate laugh, and it reminds me what a beautiful son he was and how lucky | was to be his dad.

“Ethan will never be forgotten and will always live on in our hearts and I have come to accept that the cherished memories that | do have, now give me comfort rather than pain and grief.

“Although Ethan will be remembered mainly for what he was subjected to by his own mother and grandparents who were the people in his life that were meant to love and care for him, | want him to have his own voice and be remembered for the smiley, outgoing loving child that he was.

“I feel he can rest in peace knowing the people that caused him the most harm are facing their own fate.