5 Years For Killing Son

Wayne Acott of Sunningdale Court, Square Hill Road, Maidstone was charged with the manslaughter of his son Mackenzie in January last year (2011).



The court heard how Acott returned home in the early hours of the morning on Friday 21 January, after playing computer games at a neighbour's flat, and fell asleep on the sofa.

His partner woke him a few hours later and asked him to feed Mackenzie whilst she dropped her daughter off at school. When she returned and pulled into her parking bay Acott called her mobile in a panic, saying that Mackenzie had just collapsed and he didn't know what to do.

She ran to her flat and on entering saw Wayne holding Mackenzie in his arms. She rang an ambulance and was instructed to perform CPR on Mackenzie during the call as it was clear that he had stopped breathing.

Mackenzie arrived at Maidstone hospital fighting for his life where he was immediately referred to the special baby care unit at Kings College Hospital in London.

He remained on life support until January 28 when he died having never regained consciousness.  He died as a result of a trauma to his head.

Doctors told the parents that the injuries to Mackenzie were usually associated with a high speed car accident.

A post mortem examination revealed that Mackenzie was subject to a significant traumatic event such as an impact or impacts to his head or a shaking injury.

Following an investigation by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, Acott was charged with manslaughter on August 9 and pleaded not guilty on October 28.

The trial started on July 9 and the jury returned their verdict on Thursday.
 
Acott was sentenced the same day and received a five year sentence.

Detective Inspector Trevor Fleming from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: 'It is very sad when such a young life is ended by a parent. It is the case that many parents feel the strain of the early months of a new baby unfortunately it would appear this young man had a momentary lapse of control, he had before that been described as a loving father. A number of agencies are available to help new parents and they should not be afraid to ask for help.'