Paul Aiton bashed and tortured to death two-year-old Melbourne boy Daniel Valerio.
Aiton served 18 years of a 22-year sentence for the bashing death of
two-year-old, Daniel Valerio, at West Rosebud in 1990.
The tot's internal organs were crushed by a punch from burly Aiton, who was in a
relationship with Daniel's mum, Cheryle Butcher.
Aiton had subjected Daniel to months of violence before the final fatal blow,
boasting to workmates about some of the assaults.
Paul Aiton leaves jail after serving 19 years behind bars for the murder of Daniel Valerio.
For several months before his final fatal act of violence, Paul Aiton bashed and tortured two-year-old Melbourne boy Daniel Valerio.
In September 1990 as Daniel lay sick in bed, Aiton punched his stepson several times in the stomach and killed him by crushing the toddler’s internal organs.
Daniel Valerio was bashed to death by his stepfather who has now been released from jail.
The doctor who performed an autopsy on Daniel’s body compared the damage inflicted to that of a road crash victim.
In the months leading up to his death, 21 professionals had seen Daniel and none intervened.
His death sparked landmark reforms which required health, education. and law enforcement workers to report any suspicion of child abuse to higher authorities.
After Aiton served 19 years behind bars for Daniel’s murder he was released on parole in 2011.