Breaking News: Lesbian couples sent to jail over murder case

The pair displayed little emotion as their sentences were delivered, one after the other, and there was silence in the packed courtroom as the pair were led away to the cells.

Liam's father Joseph Johnson looked straight ahead as the women were told the punishment parts of their life sentences.

Lord Burns told the couple they had subjected the children to 'a cruel and pitiless regime of ill treatment and neglect'.

'In the case of Liam, that treatment included the assault which caused his death,' the judge said.

He added that the post-mortem examination showed the two-year-old had been 'subjected to a prolonged course of violent behaviour'. 

The court had heard how defenceless Liam died at his home in March 2014 having suffered 'car crash-style injuries' including a ruptured heart as a result of severe blunt force trauma to his body.

The pair displayed little emotion as their sentences were delivered, one after the other, and there was silence in the packed courtroom as the pair were led away to the cells.

Liam's father Joseph Johnson looked straight ahead as the women were told the punishment parts of their life sentences.

Lord Burns told the couple they had subjected the children to 'a cruel and pitiless regime of ill treatment and neglect'.

'In the case of Liam, that treatment included the assault which caused his death,' the judge said.

He added that the post-mortem examination showed the two-year-old had been 'subjected to a prolonged course of violent behaviour'. 

The court had heard how defenceless Liam died at his home in March 2014 having suffered 'car crash-style injuries' including a ruptured heart as a result of severe blunt force trauma to his body.

In harrowing evidence, the jury heard Liam had suffered heart injuries similar to those found on road crash victims, with more than 30 external injuries on his body.

The court heard the pair knew Liam had a broken leg and fractured arm but instead of seeking help they searched the internet for terms including 'how do you die of a broken hip?' and 'can wives be in prison together?'.

The couple were also convicted of a catalogue of abuse towards the two other boys, including imprisoning one in a home-made cage and tying another naked to a chair in a dark room with snakes and rats.

They were found guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by trying to blame Liam's death on one of the boys.

A significant case review is now being carried out into the circumstances leading up to Liam's death after a number of witnesses told the trial they had raised concerns about the toddler's health and wellbeing with social services.

Following today's sentencing, Detective Inspector Rory Hamilton - who led the investigation - said: 'The thoughts of all those connected to our investigation remain with Liam's wider family and those who knew him during his short life.

'The sentences today reflect the seriousness of the crimes committed by Rachel and Nyomi Fee; they also reflect the joint commitment of Police Scotland and partners to bringing to justice those who commit acts of violence against the most vulnerable in our communities. 

'I would again commend the two young boys whose evidence played such a vital part in securing the convictions and bringing their abusers, and the women who murdered Liam, to justice.'

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, lead officer for Major Crime and Public Protection, added: 'Police Scotland is committed to protecting those who are at risk of abuse and violence in our communities and to working with our partners to ensure child protection is a priority.

'We will work with our child protection partners to ensure that the Significant Case Review identifies any recommendations which can be taken forward to ensure communities have the utmost confidence in protective and welfare services.'

Meanwhile, Scottish charity Children 1st welcomed a case review into the handling of the case. 

A spokesman said: 'Liam and the two other boys in this case experienced horrifying levels of prolonged physical and mental abuse. For Liam that suffering only ended with his death - at the hands of Rachel and Nyomi Fee, the carers he depended on for safety and love.

'Liam's plight has shocked Scotland. It will have taken tremendous courage for the two other boys involved to speak about their experiences. It is down to their bravery and the skills of the joint investigative interviewers in building the boys' trust that justice has been done in this terrible case. 

'When done well joint investigative interviews result in better quality evidence, improve trial processes and reduce the risk of children suffering further trauma. 

'We welcome the Scottish Courts and Justice Board's work to achieve more consistent practice in this area. Scotland-wide use of robust, pre-recorded joint investigative interviews, backed by sufficient training and resources, is one important legacy that can rise from this awful tragedy.' The couple had been staying in the same wing as each other at HMP Cornton Vale, Stirling.

Their cells are on different floors inside the Ross House building at the women's prison where remand inmates are kept.

But the pair, who regularly held hands on their way in and out of their trial, are said to have been able to meet over a coffee.

A prison source said: 'They will have met. They are on different floors but there will be times during the day when the cells are open and they will be able to associate.

'They are not sharing a cell. Prisoners can go out of their cells to eat in the hall. It will have been risk-assessed.

'Once they are sentenced it will be unlikely that they can associate with each other.'

It is now believed the couple will be separated, with one staying at Cornton Vale while the other is sent to a female wing at either Edinburgh, Greenock or Grampian.

A Scottish Prison Service spokeswoman said: 'We do not comment on individual prisoners.'