Christopher Sellman facing long stretch in jail after killing his baby
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A young father has been warned he is facing
"several years" in jail after a jury found he killed his newly-born
baby.
Christopher Sellman was convicted of the manslaughter of baby
Tiffany when she was just 25 days old. He had earlier in the trial
been acquitted of murder by direction of the judge.
After the jury of seven men and five women returned the verdict
by a 10-2 majority it was revealed that the 24-year-old refuse
collector had in February 2004 been cautioned for cruelty to a
child.
Maidstone Crown Court heard Sellman, of The Hurst, Tonbridge,
assaulted his daughter in November 2008, causing "a catastrophic
collapse".
He at first claimed Tiffany had trapped wind and went "floppy",
losing colour. But after it was revealed she had a fractured skull,
he said he had dropped her and she hit her head on a changing
table.
Sellman’s then girlfriend, Pamela Burdge, 24, gave birth to
Tiffany prematurely on October 7 2008 and they lived at a flat in
Greggs Wood Road, Hadlow.
Sellman denied the charges, claiming he did nothing to harm
Tiffany.
Adjourning sentence to Inner London Crown Court on April 28, Mr
Justice Bean said: "It seems to me inevitable on the authorities
that there must be a sentence of several years in prison."
After remanding Sellman in custody, he told jurors it was a
"complicated and tragic case".
DCI Dave Chewter said afterwards: "I'm pleased the courts have
found Sellman guilty for the death of a defenceless child. He has
never been able to provide a consistent account of what happened to
Tiffany and I am pleased the jury has delivered today's
verdict.
"Tiffany was a well cared for baby. Her mother Pamela looked
after her with love and devotion. She left her daughter with
Christopher, Tiffany's father, on just this one occasion whilst she
visited family for the first time since the birth.
"When she left the house, Tiffany was well and had just been
fed. She left her daughter in the hands of someone who should have
been there to protect and keep her safe.
"Pamela's life has been turned upside down and to this day, she
continues to struggle with her terrible loss.
Tiffany's mother Pamela Burdge said: "The loss and pain I feel
as a result of my beautiful daughter Tiffany's death is
indescribable. I will never get over it.
"I will never be able to understand why Chris never told the
truth, but I am relieved justice has been served."
Tuesday, March 16 2010
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