MURDERED toddler Demi Leigh Mahon was let down 12 times by social workers, it can be revealed today.

Demi, two, was the victim of a sadistic attack by disturbed teenager Karl McCluney, who had been left alone to look after her.

But social workers had already been warned on a dozen occasions about Demi's chaotic domestic life - raised by her mother in a drugs den in Eccles.

Police issued five official warnings to the council as officers were repeatedly called to deal with incidents of violence and drug abuse at Demi's home.

Social services received a further five alerts from neighbours who reported Demi's mother Ann Marie McDonald was too drunk or high on drugs to properly care for her child.

And Demi's own grand-mother twice contacted Salford council to say that she was worried about the toddler's welfare.

Despite the dozen danger signals, Demi was not put into care and was never even made the subject of a child protection plan.

A review of the case has confirmed failings, but concluded that Demi's death 'could not have been anticipated and therefore could not have been avoided'.

Action

No member of staff will be disciplined and no-one will lose their job over the case.

Social service chiefs accepted mistakes had been made, but said that even if proper action had been taken over the 12 warnings, Demi would not have been removed from the care of her mother and her life would therefore not have been saved.

Demi was left alone with 15-year-old McCluney for 90 minutes in July last year at a flat in Liverpool Road, Eccles, while her mum went out to collect child benefit.

McCluney, who suffered from a mental disorder, apparently lost his temper with Demi because her crying was distracting him while he watched television.

He punched, kicked, and bit Demi in a sadistic attack which left her with injuries in 68 different parts of her body.

Yesterday he was convicted of her murder and will be sentenced next month.

A judge has yet to decide exactly what the minimum sentence will be but said the 'starting point' will be 12 years.