A sick dad, killed his seven-week-old son because he “wouldn’t stop crying” – before getting back to gaming on his Playstation.
On October 24, 2019, Joseph McDonald carried out a brutal assault on his son Lucas in the city of Benalla, Australia.
Prosecutors told Victoria’s Supreme Court that McDonald hit the baby or struck a heavy object with his head, leaving him with “catastrophic” brain injuries.
In comparison to “she had previously heard Lucas make,” Judge Stephen Kaye said the child’s mom Samantha Duckmanton then heard a noise.
She went into the lounge and the Australian NCA Newswire reports, saw him rocking the baby and using the Playstation.
“I’m just swaddling him,” McDonald told her.
The “dazed” eyes left Lucas, and Ms. Duckmanton took him to the hospital the next day.
Four days later, the boy was unfortunately pronounced dead after doctors found him to be seriously ill.
McDonald, who played video games every day for six to 10 hours and was addicted to cannabis, confessed that after Lucas “would not stop crying,” he became “frustrated.”
Later that week, he turned himself in, to the police.
Justice Kaye said his problems with anger management intensified after Lucas, his second child, was born.
He told the court: “(These were) assaults that you committed to vent your frustration and anger.”
He deserved the tenderness, affection, and care that every baby should receive to be handled with.
“Instead, you took his life from him through your actions.”
Justice Kaye added: “(He was) totally vulnerable for his safety and wellbeing and dependent on you.”
“You have deprived him of the most fundamental right, his right to life.”
McDonald pleaded guilty to child murder and was sentenced to nine years in jail, six years without parole and eight months without parole, having served 410 days.