Neighbours head ‘piercing’ screams

A nine-year-old boy was locked outside his home with neighbours hearing “piercing” screams as he begged to be let back in, a court heard.

Alfie Steele was found dead in a bath at his home in Droitwich in February 2021 and his mother, Carla Scott, 35, and her partner, Dirk Howell, 41, are both accused of his murder.

A short video of Alfie Steele screaming to be let back into the house was played to a jury at Coventry Crown Court on Wednesday (May 17).

The court heard how neighbour Michaela Hardwick had recorded Alfie outside his home in Vashon Drive in August 2019 after hearing him banging on a garden gate as he cried and screamed: “let me in.”

Ms Hardwick told the court the incident lasted for at least 20 minutes before Howell opened the gate, threw clothes at Alfie and then “shoved” him to the floor before letting him back in.

“You could tell he was really upset,” she said. “I definitely saw [Howell] push him.”

Ms Hardwick’s partner Dominic Walker also told the court he heard a male voice coming from behind the gate telling a “very distressed” Alfie that “you’re not coming in” and “we don’t want you anymore.”

Alfie’s mother Carla Scott denies murder, manslaughter, causing or allowing the death of Alfie and child cruelty offences against Alfie and other children.

Howell, of Princip Street, Birmingham, admitted child cruelty against other children before his trial, but denies murder, manslaughter, cruelty or causing or allowing the death of Alfie.

The trial continues.