Dad sentenced for trying to poison child; wanted to avoid child support (Soweto, South Africa)

UNNAMED DAD has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for attempting to kill his 5-year-old daughter by poisoning her food. The motive? Dad wanted to avoid paying child maintenance (child support). It's always about the money, never about the child....

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=nw20090922112234414C124416

Dad sentenced for trying to poison child

September 22 2009 at 11:40 AM

A 36-year-old Soweto man has been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment after he attempted to kill his daughter and another child with poisoned yoghurt, police said on Tuesday.

Inspector Kay Makhubele said the man was sentenced on Friday in the Protea Magistrate's Court for two counts of attempted murder.

He said the man had attempted to poison his five-year-old daughter to avoid continuing to pay her mother maintenance.

Last week, the man went to his daughter's creche and asked another person to feed her the poisoned yoghurt.

However, the yoghurt was instead given to a two-year-old girl who shared the same name.

The girl was taken to hospital, treated and a case of attempted murder was opened.

"The following day, after realising that the yoghurt was given to the wrong child he went and bought another yoghurt," said Makhubele.

His daughter was given the yoghurt and also taken to hospital and treated for poisoning.

Makhubele said community members then cornered the man and he was handed over to the police.

"He was trying to run away from maintenance by poisoning these two kids," said Makhubele. - Sapa.