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20/04/2010
Dad Guilty Of Smothering Own Baby
A father - formerly from Norfolk - has been remanded in custody after being found guilty of smothering his six-week-old baby daughter when he became frustrated with her tears.
David Riches, 51, killed Melanin almost 25 years ago by pushing her face down into the upholstery on the sofa in their family home, a court heard.
The death of daughter Melanin came to light in 2007 after Riches, who lived in Norwich but now has a home in Pezens in France, was reunited with son Micah.
He confessed to the killing in a text message and Micah informed the police.
Riches had denied killing her but was found guilty of manslaughter by a majority verdict of 10 to one.
He will be sentenced in six weeks' time after psychiatric reports.
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.
As well as manslaughter, Riches was also convicted of four counts of child cruelty and six assaults on a number of women and children.
(LB/BMcC)
David Riches, 51, killed Melanin almost 25 years ago by pushing her face down into the upholstery on the sofa in their family home, a court heard.
The death of daughter Melanin came to light in 2007 after Riches, who lived in Norwich but now has a home in Pezens in France, was reunited with son Micah.
He confessed to the killing in a text message and Micah informed the police.
Riches had denied killing her but was found guilty of manslaughter by a majority verdict of 10 to one.
He will be sentenced in six weeks' time after psychiatric reports.
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.
As well as manslaughter, Riches was also convicted of four counts of child cruelty and six assaults on a number of women and children.
(LB/BMcC)
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