07/04/2010

Man Guilty Of Murdering Son

A man has been found guilty of shaking his six-week-old son to death.

Ryszard Spiewak, 30, of Clarence Road, Peterborough, was convicted of killing baby Piotr following a trial at Cambridge Crown Court.

The Polish national was found guilty of murder and causing grievous bodily harm.

He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on a date yet to be set.

Piotr died on September 2, 2008, having suffered severe brain damage and cardiac arrest four days earlier. The baby also had 10 fractured ribs believed to be some weeks old.

The court heard how Piotr stopped breathing at his home in Adderley, Bretton, on 29 August 2008.

An ambulance was called and Piotr was taken to Peterborough District Hospital and then Leicester Royal Infirmary, but four days later a decision was made to turn his life support machine off.

The court heard that Piotr's injuries suggested he had been squeezed and shaken excessively.

Detective Inspector Ian Baillie said: "This was a tragic case which saw a young life cut off by a deliberate act of violence.

"Spiewak continuously denied being responsible but today's verdict has proved otherwise.

"This was a difficult case and I would like to thank all those who helped to secure this prosecution."

(PR/GK)

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