'Lonely and abandoned' boy died after suffering abuse at hands of grandfather, judge hears

Before he was beaten to death by his grandfather, five-year old Emilio Perdomo told his motherhe wanted to buy her a house when he grew up.

But just months after she sent himto Canada where she believed he would have a better life, Emilio "lay on the floor dying alone" following a final, fatal blow to the head, prosecutorVicki Faulkner told the judge at Allan Perdomo Lopez's sentencing hearing on Tuesday.

Last month, Perdomo Lopez, 60, was convicted of manslaughter by Court of Queen's Bench JusticeRichard Neufeld.

The boy was described by his mother and grandmother as a loving child who, when he lived in Mexico,befriended teachers, people on the street and the man who sold ice cream.

Coldplay's Viva la Vida which translates to Long Live Life was Emilio's favourite song.

Faulkner told the judge the Crown is seeking a12- to 15-year prison sentence.

Defence lawyer Darren Mahoney said this case should be considered a "one hit manslaughter" because there is only evidence of one fatal blow to Emilio. Mahoney is proposing a six- to eight-year prison term.

'Horrible abuse'

Emilio's fatal, catastrophic brain injury happenedJuly 9, 2015, but the five-year-oldhad been suffering what Faulkner described as "horrible abuse" for months.

Scars on his back indicated the boy had been whipped.

Bruises coveredhis feet, shins, knees, thighs, groin, stomach, chest, arms, face and head.

• Grandfather who called grandson 'ungrateful demon' found guilty in Calgary beating death

On Emilio's left upper arm: abruise in the shape of an adult-sized grip mark.Hisright elbow was so swollen and bruised, doctors believed it was broken.

During the trial, the judge heard evidence that Perdomo Lopez cut off contact between Emilio and his family in Mexico shortly after the boy's arrival.

"Emilio must have felt incredibly lonely and abandoned," Faulkner told Neufeld.

Grandfather calls boy 'ungrateful demon'

During conversations recorded by police,Perdomo Lopezreferred toEmilio as an "ungrateful demon" whose spirit needed to be cleansed from the family's home.

Faulkner said those "negative and spiteful terms" were used by the grandfather in an effort to "justify theblows."

Emilio's mother, MelodySegovia, appeared in the courtroom overclosedcircuit-TV from Mexico andread astatement written by her mother, MarisolSegovia-Alvarez, who helped raise the boy. She said the family is "devastated" at the loss of Emilio.

"We always remember his graceful ways and his mischief," said Segovia through tears.

During the trial, the judge heard heartbreaking evidence that a man who worked at a flea market frequented every Sunday by the Perdomo Lopez family became so concerned with Emilio's obvious physical injuries that he called child protective services.

The man said the boy seemedquiet and afraid. He called the authorities after one Sunday when he saw Emilio was barely able to walk and had a bandage on his head.

Perdomo Lopez's wife, Carolina Perdomo, was to go on trial alongside her husband but earlier this yearher charge was stayed byprosecutor Shane Parker.

The sentence is due to be handed down on Friday.