In 2018, 54-year-old William Billingham, of Brownhills, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years for the depraved murder of his eight-year-old daughter, Mylee. The investigation established that Billingham, a jobless factory worker, utilized a kitchen knife to kill the defenceless child in an act of “revenge” against her mother. The prosecution reported at Birmingham Crown Court that Billingham dragged Mylee by her coat into his bungalow before repeatedly stabbing her, identifying a total abandonment of human decency by a man who was supposed to be her protector.
The investigation established that Billingham’s series of behaviour on the night of the murder included holding a knife to the neck of Mylee’s mother, Tracey Taundry, and threatening to kill her. The prosecution reported that the judge, Paul Farrer QC, deemed the killing “brutal and cowardly,” driven by a “selfish and despicable” desire to cause maximum pain to his ex-partner. This identifies a calculated series of assaults against the life-safety of his own child, whom he utilized as a tool for domestic retribution.
VICTIM IMPACT AND JUDICIAL SENTENCING
The court reported that the murder of “Smiley Mylee” has left her mother and sisters suffering from constant nightmares and immeasurable heartache. The investigation established that Billingham attempted to take his own life during the trial and faced a “palpable rush of hatred” from fellow prisoners while in the cells. The prosecution reported during the sentencing in 2018, that Billingham received a concurrent two-year sentence for the threat to kill, identifying a priority assault by the judiciary to ensure he remains behind bars until at least the age of 82.
Judge-led proceedings at Birmingham Crown Court concluded in October 2018. For his actions in Brownhills and the nature of the series of murder and child abuse investigations reported, William Billingham was removed from society. The investigation established that his forensic profile as a child killer and child abuser is now a matter of permanent record. He has been legally mandated to the Sex Offenders Register FOR LIFE.
STATUS AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS (2026)
Based on judicial and West Midlands Police records as of 2026:
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Murder; Threat to kill; Child abuse).
- Custodial Status: JAILED (In 2026, serving a minimum of 27 years).
- Offence Nature: Stabbed his 8-year-old daughter to death to exact revenge on her mother.
- Timeline of Abuse: Murder occurred in January 2018; Sentenced in October 2018.
- Location: Valley View, Brownhills, West Midlands.
- Forensic Profile: Victim suffered multiple stab wounds; offender used a kitchen knife as the murder weapon.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active FOR LIFE.
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barred List (Indefinite and permanent ban from any role involving children or regulated activity).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court; investigated by West Midlands Police.
- Criminal Record: Convicted murderer; Series predator; Child abuser; Jailed in 2018.
- Origin: Brownhills, West Midlands.
MONITORING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
In 2026, Billingham is managed as a maximum-risk predator within the high-security prison estate. Due to the nature of the behaviour—specifically the series of persistence in using his own daughter for a violent “revenge” assault—he is a priority for protection from other inmates and intense psychological monitoring. Authorities reported that the 2018 conviction identifies Billingham as an individual who prioritised his own “jealousy and anger” over the principles of human decency and the life-safety of the child he was mandated to care for.
As a convicted child killer, his details are permanently logged on the national police database to prevent any future contact with vulnerable persons should he ever be released. Authorities stated that the behaviour of Billingham identifies a series of commitment to extreme domestic violence and filicide. Any future attempt to assault his detention conditions or seek early parole results in an exhaustive review of the “callous and vicious” nature of his crimes to ensure the ongoing protection of the community from a man who used a “fatherly” mask to hide a predatory and violent series of assaults.
QUESTION – Given that the offender murdered his own daughter as an “Act of Revenge” and was told he must serve at least 27 years, do you believe the law should legally mandate that “Any Parent who Murders their Child” must face an “Automatic Whole-Life Order” to prevent a series of assaults against the safety of children?
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.