Mother admits 2004 baby killing

A woman who killed her baby son four years ago has been given a suspended 12-month jail sentence.

Martina McHattie, 26, of Bevan Place, Lupset, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, admitted the manslaughter of baby Reece and was sentenced in May.

The sentencing can only be reported now after the completion of another, unrelated matter at Leeds Crown Court.

On Monday, McHattie was given a 26-week sentence, suspended for a year, for sexual activity with a 14-year-old boy.

In the manslaughter case, she initially told police that her six-month-old son had fallen off the sofa.

But it later emerged she had shaken him and thrown him to the floor

Fractured skull

Reece was found with serious head injuries by paramedics at her home on 22 October 2004, and died in hospital three days later.

McHattie only admitted assaulting the baby years later when medical experts said the injuries were "inconsistent" with her version of events.

Reece died after suffering a fractured skull, brain swelling and bleeding in the eyes.

But police investigating his death in 2004 said there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a case against McHattie.

The matter was reopened in 2007 when further evidence came to light.

The court heard how an X-ray revealed an old fracture of the collarbone and a doctor from Leeds General Infirmary said the account given by McHattie was inconsistent with the baby's injuries.

Suicide attempt

Defending, Michael Harrison QC, said: "This mother was taking superlative care of her baby, was maintaining her accommodation to an exceptional standard and was nurturing his development with manifest love and affection.

"It's astonishing to find that in one catastrophic moment, she gave way to the stress that had built up in the days and weeks before, shaking and throwing her baby."

McHattie had been affected by remorse and guilt ever since and was once treated in hospital after taking an overdose of paracetemol, Mr Harrison said.

Sentencing her, Peter Collier QC, Recorder of Leeds, said: "Twelve months' imprisonment is the shortest sentence that matches the seriousness of your offence.

"I am going to suspend that sentence for the next two years."