New father kills his 5-week-old son by slamming his face into a cot

A new father killed his five-week-old son because he felt fatherhood
meant 'his life was over', a UK court heard today. Matthew Wickens,
24, lost his temper when he was left alone with baby Riley Gardener at
the family home in Paignton, Devon.

He shook his son, before slamming his face into a cot - causing him to
suffer severe head injuries.

He then repeatedly lied about what he had done - and even tried to
cover up the baby's injuries by putting a hat on him. His lies meant
Riley's mother, Gemma Gardener, became a suspect and was forced to
give up their other son, Jayden, for 14 months. Continue...

But now, Wickens has been jailed for six years and five months after
admitting manslaughter at Exeter Crown Court.
Simon Laws QC, prosecuting, said Wickens and Miss Gardener had had an
'on-off' relationship while she was pregnant with Riley, with the
former even having 'a relationship with another woman'.

He said Wickens had initially appeared fine with the idea of having a
second son, but then 'got cold feet and became ambivalent towards
fatherhood'.

'He seemed unwilling or unable to commit himself wholeheartedly to
domestic life and regarded it as restricting his freedoms,' he said.

But despite his apparent unwillingness, Wickens eventually moved into
Miss Gardener's flat in a bid to 'prove his commitment to their
relationship', the court heard.

Mr Laws said Wickens had felt Riley's birth two years ago meant 'his
life was over' - and that he had felt he would 'just be a father all
the time' and not going out like his friends.

The supermarket worker, who had hoped to join the Army, 'did not like
to be told what I can do and what I cannot do' by his partner, he
said.

But one day, Wickens agreed to look after Riley as Miss Gardener and
their older son, Jayden, went out shopping, the court heard.

He bottle-fed and changed the baby, before losing his temper and
assaulting his son - shaking him, before slamming his head face down
into a cot.

Despite Riley's severe head injuries, Wickens, who was 22 at the time,
then failed to summon any medical help for his son.

And when Riley's mother returned home with Jayden from shopping,
Wickens left her to discover her 'dying or dead son' in his bed, the
court heard. He then repeatedly lied about what had happened - and
even put a hat on Riley to cover up a mark on his forehead.

At one point, he claimed he had banged his son's head against the
metal arm of a baby swing, before dropping him on the bedroom floor.

His lies meant that Miss Gardener fell under the suspicion of the
police - and was forced to give up Jayden for 14 months while she
battled care proceedings.

However, a post-mortem examination later revealed that Riley had died
from shaking and an impact on November 25, 2012.

Paul Dunkels QC, defending, told the court: '[Wickens] wishes to
express his deep regret and remorse. He lost his temper and shook
Riley and slammed his face down on to his cot.'

He said Wickens had showed 'cowardice and selfishness to not say what
had happened straight away' at the flat in the Winner Street area of
Paignton.

He added that the defendant may have been tired after getting up in
the night to see to Riley while working long hours, but that was 'no
excuse' because parents have to carry on.

Sentencing Wickens, Judge Francis Gilbert QC told him it would remain
a 'heavy burden for the rest of your life that you killed your own
child'.
He added that the defendant wished he could turn back the clock and
that it had 'all been a bad dream'.

Culled from UK Daily Mail