What I’m about to share is not just heartbreaking — it’s infuriating.

Recently, CCTV footage presented in court revealed disturbing moments in the days before the tragic death of 2-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths. The videos show his grandfather, Michael Ives (47), treating him with unbelievable cruelty — at one point lifting the toddler by the arm like he was nothing more than a bag of rubbish.

CCTV footage from August 4 showed Michael Ives dragging Ethan across the back garden

Michael Ives, 47, has also been convicted of murder over the boy’s death, with distressing footage appearing to show him punch Ethan and spray a hose at him shown in court

Kerry Ives, 46, has been found guilty of the murder of her grandson after a five week trial

Alongside his wife Kerry Ives (46), Michael was convicted of murder by Mold Crown Court. It took the jury just seven hours to reach the verdict — a clear reflection of how damning the evidence was.

Ethan, who was described by medical professionals as painfully thin, was severely malnourished and dehydrated. Weighing only 10 kilograms at the time of his death, doctors testified he was so dehydrated that he likely would have died within days even without the fatal head injury.

Ethan Ives-Griffiths (pictured) was extremely malnourished before his murder 

But he did suffer a fatal injury — a catastrophic blow to the head, sustained on August 14, 2021, in the very home where he was supposed to be safe. His mother, Shannon Ives (28), was upstairs at the time. Two days later, Ethan died in hospital.

The footage played in court was gut-wrenching. One clip from August 4 shows Michael dragging Ethan by his arm from a trampoline, while the boy clutches his head in pain. In another video, Michael is seen strapping Ethan into a car seat — and appears to punch him twice.

The jury also heard how Ethan had over 40 visible bruises, grip marks, and abdominal injuries — evidence of ongoing abuse.

Even worse, Ethan was known to child protection services and was meant to be checked regularly. But in a tragic failure of the system, a social worker was turned away at the door days before his death, and a health visitor appointment was cancelled just one day before Ethan collapsed.

Shannon Ives, who had fled a violent relationship earlier that year, was also found guilty of causing or allowing her son’s death. During the trial, both Michael and Kerry tried to deflect blame back onto her. Michael even claimed his daughter would hit Ethan “a couple of times a day.” Shannon, in turn, accused her parents of abusing her as a child.

The court learned Ethan was routinely punished by being forced to stand with his hands on his head — a dehumanizing practice.

The final CCTV footage showed Michael once again dragging Ethan and putting him in the car on August 12 — just two days before his death.

Further CCTV footage showed Ethan being lifted into the back of a car by Michael before Ives appeared to punch him twice

The court heard that Ethan (pictured) would have died from dehydration within ten days if he had not succumbed to his injuries

Ethan Ives-Griffiths was last seen with his family at Broughton Retail Park on August 13, 2021, just days before he collapsed and died. He is seen in the child seat of a shopping trolley 

What’s horrifying is that 18 minutes passed before emergency services were called after Ethan collapsed. That delay cost him his life.

He passed away at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool on August 16, 2021.

After the verdict, Ethan’s father, Will Griffiths, gave a statement that will stick with me:

“He will be remembered for the smiley, outgoing, loving child that he was. He can now rest in peace, knowing that justice has been served.”

Judge Griffiths confirmed that Michael and Kerry Ives will face life sentences. Shannon Ives is awaiting a substantial prison sentence.

Flintshire County Council has confirmed it will cooperate with a full, independent child safeguarding review.