Police statement on baby killer murdered by rapist at Leeds prison: 'We hope conviction comforts his family'

-> Murdered prisoner was serving a life sentence for murder of his baby daughterLiam Deane convicted of killing his baby daughter

Liam Deane was serving a life sentence for the murder of his two day old baby daughter at their home.

The 22-year-old was given a life sentence on October 5 last year after a court heard he repeatedly punched baby Luna in a horror attack after losing his temper.

The injuries found on the baby included injuries to her brain, body and face.

John Westland - found guilty of murdering Liam Deane at Armley PrisonA jury took just over three hours to reach a unanimous verdicts to find Westland guilty of murdering Liam Deane at the Leeds prison on November 12 last year.

Leeds Crown Court heard John Westland, 29, used a smashed aftershave bottle to inflict the fatal injuries.

'Sexual predator' John Westland was told he would spend 'many, many years' in jail when he was locked up back in 2008 for raping and attacking a 53-year-old woman..

Westland was a teenager when he was jailed indefinitely for the protection of the public after he admitted rape and grievous bodily harm.

Sentencing Westland a decade ago, Judge Patrick Eccles said: “You are a predatory male and unable to control the sexual urges you have for women of a variety of ages, but in particular older woman. “You are somebody who is, and should be treated as, a dangerous offender on the grounds there is significant risk of your committing offences in the future.

“You will not be eligible for release into the community until the parole board is satisfied you no longer provide a risk of violence and sexual offending — and it may be many, many years before that conclusion is reached.”

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Scott, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Liam Deane was serving a life sentence for the murder of his newborn baby daughter. It was an appalling crime that tore her family apart and provoked an understandably strong reaction from the community and the wider public.

“Despite his conviction for that offence, he and his family were entitled to expect he could serve his time in prison without having his life taken from him in sudden and violent circumstances by his cell-mate John Westland.

"Westland has now been convicted of his murder and we hope this will provide some degree of comfort to Liam’s family for the loss they have suffered.”