Uncle charged with toddler's rape and murder

Updated 20.39 Wed Feb 14 2007
Keywords: Leeds, Gipton, Casey Mullen, Toddler

A man has been charged with the rape and murder of his two-year-old niece who was found strangled at her own home.

Casey Leigh Mullen was found in a pool of blood at her home in the Gipton area of Leeds. A post-mortem examination revealed she died from "compression of the neck".

Bunches of flowers and teddy bears have been left outside her home, where a red plastic bus could be seen in the front garden

Her 21-year-old uncle, Michael Mullen, has now been charged with the little girl's rape and murder.

Mullen will appear before magistrates in Leeds tomorrow.

It is understood Casey's mother, Samantha Canham, 21, lived with her partner and two children - the little girl and a three-year-old boy.

A Leeds City Council spokesman confirmed social services were briefly involved with the family following an incident in 2005.

Police are standing watch outside a property in Lawrence Road, Gipton, which is believed to be Mr Mullen's home address.

Two other men, aged 19 and 20, who were initially arrested on suspicion of murder, were released without charge.

Bunches of flowers and teddy bears have been left outside her home, where a red plastic bus could be seen in the front garden.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.