Dad found guilty in murder of 7-week-old infant daughter (Peterborough, England, United Kingdom)

Dad OLUSOLA AKINRELE has been found guilty in the murder of his 7-week-old infant daughter. The baby had a "catastrophic" brain injury (caused by a fractured skull or violent shaking), 22 broken ribs, a fractured femur, broken fingers, fractures around her knees, and bite marks. Mom has also pleaded guilty to "allowing" it, though I'm never quite sure what that means, since they never spell out in these articles what her real options had been.

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/Weeping-dad-guilty-of-murdering.5802112.jp

Weeping dad guilty of murdering Leeya
Published Date:
06 November 2009
By ET Staff

Olusola Akinrele, the father of seven-week-old baby Leeya who suffered a catalogue of injuries before she died wept as he was found guilty of her murder.

Olusola Akinrele, 34, clutched his hands as a jury yesterday found him guilty of murdering his daughter Leeya.

They delivered their unanimous verdict after an eight week trial.

Ipswich Crown Court heard how Leeya suffered a "catastrophic" brain injury caused by a fractured skull or violent shaking.

Paramedics and a doctor tried desperately to resuscitate her after she was found lifeless on December 18, 2006 at her home in Lapwing Drive, Whittlesey.

She died 12 days later when her life support machine was turned off at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

Prosecutors said her injuries included 22 broken ribs, a fractured femur, broken fingers and fractures around her knees.

She also had possible bite marks to her face and fingers, which appeared to have been inflicted by an adult.

However, Judge Philip Clegg said that he could not sentence Akinrele for injuries that Leeya suffered before her death.

He said: "There are no accounts to reflect that criminality. I take the view that it would be wrong to lay those antecedent injuries at his feet for the purpose of sentencing.

"But I can't ignore the fact that the final fatal act was committed against the child when it was perfectly obvious she was already badly injured."

On Wednesday, Leeya's mother Kelly Inman (22) was cleared of murdering her and a charge of causing her death.

She was remanded in custody for sentencing, as she had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of allowing the death of a child.

Yesterday, Akinrele sat with his head bowed as Judge Clegg told him he would be sentenced separately to Inman at a later date, after psychiatric and pre-sentence reports had been prepared.

Judge Clegg said: "Obviously it is a life penalty.