Father in court over toddler murder

Updated 20.49 Mon Oct 08 2007
Keywords: Leicester, toddler, Beaumont Leys, murder

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his two-year-old son.

Officers were called to a house in Thornholme Close, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, on Friday and found little Leon McIntyre who was later pronounced dead in hospital.

"Leon was my 'little man'. He brought such joy to my life. I lived for him. I am left with a hole in my heart, my life. I feel lost without him" - Leon's mother Marie Tuckey

Andrew McIntyre, 38, appeared before magistrates in Leicester accused of murder. He did not enter a plea during the hearing and no application for bail was made.

McIntyre was remanded in custody to appear via video link at Leicester Crown Court on January 14.

In a statement issued through Leicestershire Police, Leon's mother, Marie Tuckey, said: "Leon was my 'little man'. He brought such joy to my life. I lived for him. I am left with a hole in my heart, my life. I feel lost without him.

"I keep hoping I will wake up from a horrid dream and I will have Leon back with me here where he belongs."

She thanked well-wishers for their floral tributes and teddies left at the house, adding: "As you can appreciate it has been a very difficult time for us all and we would ask that we now be left alone to grieve in private."

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