THE experienced cop who helped put Madison Horn’s killer behind bars said her injuries were “some of the most horrific I’ve ever seen”.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Cunningham has investigated major crimes and homicides for more than two decades but was still shocked at the level of violence Kevin Park inflicted on the Kelty toddler.

Park (27, right) was given a life sentence and 22 years in jail after being found guilty of brutally attacking Madison in her own home on 20th April. The tot died later that night from appalling injuries.

DCI Cunningham led the investigation into the two-year-old’s death and told the Press, “I’ve been involved in investigating a number of murders and deaths involving children.

“I’m now involved in national training for the police working on new policies for investigating the deaths of children so I do have a lot of experience.

“What I can say is that the injuries that Madison suffered were some of the most horrific I’ve ever seen.” Park was babysitting Madison when he attacked her. He twice slammed her head off a wall, punched and stamped on her and hit her with a pool cue, leaving the little girl with 65 separate injuries including a fractured skull, internal bleeding, tears to her liver and bruises all over her body.

DCI Cunningham said, “No-one can try and understand what Kevin Park did, why he did it or what his mindset was at the time.

“His actions against this child were the most despicable.” Police were aware of Park’s violent background and 38 previous convictions but DCI Cunningham said, “You don’t prejudge anyone.

“The bottom line is we have to treat, and do treat, everyone with fairness and respect.

“His explanation was that she had fallen and hurt herself. Our job was not to disprove that but to establish the truth and it was clear from the expert evidence that his explanation didn’t fit.” One telling piece of evidence was the damage to the hall, where two indentations had some of Madison’s hair and DNA in it and led investigators to the conclusion that Park had battered the tot’s head off the wall.

DCI Cunningham said, “It was a major investigation and very professional in the way it was handled with support to the family, engaging with the community and working with the experts to get the forensic, scientific evidence that shows it was solely Kevin Park’s responsibility for some of the most horrific injuries I’ve seen.” He continued, “I’ve been doing this for 22 years and every case is traumatic and has an impact on all of us. “When it involves the death of a child, especially if it’s a suspicious death or a murder, there’s nothing more difficult than that.

“And it’s not just the police, you have paramedics at the scene, medical staff, pathologists and forensic people, it’s as difficult as it can be.

“I’m not trying to sensationalise anything or be unclear but I can’t understate how horrific it is to investigate the death of a person, particularly a child.

“I’ve probably got more experience than most with this type of crime but I’ve got strong support and I provide strong support for police and our partner agencies to make sure we can do our job.

“It’s very difficult but that’s what keeps us going, to get justice for the child and the family.” A major case review was announced by Fife Council to establish if anything could and should have been done to better protect Madison.

Park was sentenced to a life sentence and 22 years but the judge said it would be up to the parole board if he ever gets out.

DCI Cunningham said, “I welcome the verdict and acknowledge it. I would never say I was satisfied with a sentence as you still have a person who has unlawfully taken a life.

“I also welcomed the unanimous verdict of the jury which shows the strength and quality of the evidence we were able to gather and put before the court to show that he was the person responsible.

“The fact of the matter is only one person is responsible and that’s Kevin Park. It’s beyond any understanding why he took the actions he did.

“My thoughts and heart go out to the family who have to cope with this.”