SHOCKING pictures have emerged of the “cage” bed a little toddler was tied face-down to and allow to die.

The pictures show the appalling conditions 19-month-old Ellie-May Minshull-Coyle was left in when she was found dead in March last year.

11 Ellie-May Minshull Coyle died at 19 months old after she was bound to her bed and forced to sleep with tight ligatures across body Credit: PA:Press Association

Ellie-May had been bound to her bed which was described in court as a "cage" and forced to sleep with tight ligatures across her chest and legs.

Her mum Lauren Coyle, and her former partner Reece Hitchcott, both 20 and from Preston, were cleared of manslaughter but sentenced to ten years behind bars after they were found responsible for her death.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the toddler was found dead in her bed, which had been made into a "cage" with cot sides tied together around it, in the couple's flat.

Horrifying photos released today show the cage Hitchcott created by placing sheets and bedding over the sides of it to prevent the toddler seeing outside.

11 The couple created an improvised cage using knotted blankets Credit: Press Association Images

Coyle, who was wearing a black skirt, sheer black tights and a black shirt with her dark hair scraped back in a messy bun, remained completely expressionless as her sentence was delivered by the judge.

11 Lauren Coyle has been jailed for 10 years for allowing the death of her daughter, 19-month-old Ellie-May Minshull Coyle Credit: Press Association Images

11 Reece Hitchcott, Lauren's ex-boyfriend, has also been locked up for ten years Credit: Press Association Images

Hitchcott also looked emotionless as he appeared before the court wearing a dark grey and black zip up sports top and matching tracksuit bottoms.

Sentencing the duo, Judge Mr Justice Dove said: “Ellie-May brought great joy to her friends and family as well as the people who she met.

“She was a force for reconciliation between you, Lauren Coyle, and your parents. She brought you and, I’m particular, your father Sean Coyle together after difficult times.

“All the positive energy and joy which she had brought into the world was extinguished on March 23 and it was extinguished by you both.

11 Lancashire Police has released photos of the 'cage bed'. Ellie-May died after she was tied face-down in the monstrous construction Credit: Press Association Images

11 Ellie-May's grandmother described the tragic tot as 'perfect' and 'always happy'

11 The judge said the couple had taken away Ellie-May's 'opportunity to grow up, to love and be loved' Credit: Press Association

11 Reece Hitchott appeared emotionless as he arrived in court this morning Credit: Mercury Press

11 Mum Lauren Coyle appeared at court today in a blue parka jacket. She was sentenced to ten years imprisonment for causing or allowing her daughter's death Credit: Mercury Press

“You took away her future, her opportunity to grow up, to love and be loved, to raise her own family and enjoy all the hopes and joys of a fulfilled life.

“We shall never know what potential she could have shown."

In a statement which was read to the court, Ellie-May's father John Minshull said: "Every day me and my mum think about Ellie and really miss her, we just wish we could give her a big hug and it breaks our hearts deeply."

He added: "Now I can't be a dad to her no more, it destroys me inside."

Lancashire Police praise the family of Ellie-May Minshull-Coyle after mother Lauren Coyle and partner Reece Hitchcott were sentenced causing her death by 'caging and restraining her'

11 The horrific cage was constructed by Hitchcott Credit: Press Association Images

11 The couple were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court after subjecting Ellie-May to 'immense suffering' Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

Speaking outside court after sentencing, Ellie-May’s grandmother Sharon Porter, who was accompanied by the tot’s dad John Minshull, described her as "perfect".

Sharon, who fought back tears as she spoke, said: “I just wanted to say that Ellie-May was a beautiful little girl. She was so special to everyone around her."

An NSPCC spokesperson added: “Instead of providing comfort and protection to Ellie-May, Coyle and Hitchcott’s actions caused the defenceless toddler unthinkable distress which ultimately led to her death."

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“She was always happy. She was the perfect daughter and a perfect granddaughter. She will always be in our hearts and minds.

Hitchcott, of The Fieldings, Fulwood, Preston, and Coyle, of Collins Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston, were also convicted of one count of child cruelty by "caging" the child in her bed, and another count of child cruelty by restraining her in the bed.

Their lodger, Connor Kirby, 20, of Octavia Court, Huyton, Liverpool, was cleared of all of the charges.

Lancashire Police praise the family of Ellie-May Minshull-Coyle after mother Lauren Coyle and partner Reece Hitchcott were sentenced causing her death by 'caging and restraining her'

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