Dad kills toddler son
A man killed his toddler son by beating him on the head with a jug cord and leaving him alone in his room for several hours, a court has heard.
Two-year-old Joshua died on September 24, 2007, from brain injuries caused by the vicious attack inflicted on him by his father, John Michael Prisk.
The Supreme Court in Brisbane heard on Friday that Prisk, now 38, was home alone with Joshua at their Margate home when he beat the toddler for not doing what he was told.
Prosecutor Vicki Loury said he then bathed Joshua and put him in his room.
The toddler, who had bleeding on the brain, choked on his own vomit and slipped into unconsciousness.
He was rushed to hospital several hours later but was pronounced brain dead soon after.
Prisk initially denied any wrongdoing, telling police his son had fallen when he got out of the bath.
He later admitted hitting Joshua but said he had not wanted to kill him.
Prisk was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter on the first day of his trial earlier this year.
The sentence was adjourned until Friday.
The court heard Joshua had spent most of his life in care but had been returned to the family home in October 2006.
Ms Loury said neither of his biological parents had bonded with him, and they had intended to send him back to live with his foster mother.
Ms Loury told the court both parents had abused Joshua in the months leading up to his death, using weapons to hit him for misbehaving or crying.
When he died he had multiple injuries at different stages of healing on his body.
Prisk was sentenced on Friday to eight and a half years' jail.
He will be eligible for parole in a few months after having served more than four years in pre-sentence custody.
Two-year-old Joshua died on September 24, 2007, from brain injuries caused by the vicious attack inflicted on him by his father, John Michael Prisk.
The Supreme Court in Brisbane heard on Friday that Prisk, now 38, was home alone with Joshua at their Margate home when he beat the toddler for not doing what he was told.
Prosecutor Vicki Loury said he then bathed Joshua and put him in his room.
The toddler, who had bleeding on the brain, choked on his own vomit and slipped into unconsciousness.
He was rushed to hospital several hours later but was pronounced brain dead soon after.
Prisk initially denied any wrongdoing, telling police his son had fallen when he got out of the bath.
He later admitted hitting Joshua but said he had not wanted to kill him.
Prisk was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter on the first day of his trial earlier this year.
The sentence was adjourned until Friday.
The court heard Joshua had spent most of his life in care but had been returned to the family home in October 2006.
Ms Loury said neither of his biological parents had bonded with him, and they had intended to send him back to live with his foster mother.
Ms Loury told the court both parents had abused Joshua in the months leading up to his death, using weapons to hit him for misbehaving or crying.
When he died he had multiple injuries at different stages of healing on his body.
Prisk was sentenced on Friday to eight and a half years' jail.
He will be eligible for parole in a few months after having served more than four years in pre-sentence custody.
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