Dad remanded after smothering baby daughter (Norwich, England, United Kingdom)

We've reported on dad DAVID RICHES before. After 25 years, he's finally been convicted of manslaughter charges for smothering his 6-week-old daughter, and has been remanded in custody.

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/national/father_remanded_after_smothering_baby_daughter_1_618230

Monday 19 April 2010
Father remanded after smothering baby daughter
Published on Mon Apr 19 17:58:22 BST 2010

A father formerly from Norfolk has been remanded in custody after being found guilty of smothering his six-week-old baby to death when he became frustrated with her tears.

David Riches, 51, killed his daughter Melanin almost 25 years ago by pushing her face down into the upholstery on the sofa in their family home, a court heard.

Jurors at Norwich Crown Court were told that Riches confessed to the crime during an emotional reunion with his estranged son in 2007.

Riches, formerly of Norwich, but who now lives in Pezens, France, denied killing his daughter on July 3, 1985. But a jury of eight men and three women found him guilty of manslaughter by a majority verdict of 10 to one.

The jurors heard that in 1985 doctors said that Melanin died of cot death. "A post-mortem concluded sudden infant death syndrome," said prosecutor Sally Howes QC.

Ms Howes told the court that by chance Melanin's brother Micah, now 21, was reunited with his father in summer 2007 after years apart.

She said after various conversations about the death of Melanin, Micah sent Riches a text message asking exactly what happened the day the baby died. Riches replied saying that he picked Melanin up after she started crying. When she would not stop he put her face between the arm and the seat of the sofa.

Eventually Micah decided to go to the police. "The police investigation unearthed a catalogue of abuse towards women and children," said Ms Howes.

Riches was initially charged with murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter. However, during the trial, Judge Peter Jacobs recorded a verdict of not guilty on the murder charge because of insufficient evidence.

Jurors convicted him of manslaughter. They also found him guilty of four counts of child cruelty and six assaults. The charges relate to a number of women and children. Judge Jacobs remanded Riches in custody and delayed sentencing for six weeks for pre-sentence and psychiatric reports.