Man admits killing his baby daughter
Thursday, 16th August 2001.
A MAN has admitted the manslaughter of his five-week-old baby daughter.
Richard Plumridge, 22, of Haverhill, had denied murdering Sarah Rose Ketteridge, on December 12 last year.
Elizabeth Marsh QC, prosecuting, told Norwich Crown Court the baby had sustained deep skull fractures for which there was no explanation.
Miss Marsh said Plumridge maintained he had thrown the baby on to a sofa from which she fell onto the floor.
She said: "She could have hit her head on the sofa or the floor. That is his explanation of the fractures.
"There were two fractures and they may have been caused by one injury.
"The Crown has considered whether it will be able to establish to the satisfaction of a jury whether he intended to cause really serious harm.
"He intended to shut the baby up, but it is still in doubt whether he intended to cause her serious harm, so we will accept the change of plea to manslaughter today."
Graham Parkins QC, defending, asked for pre-sentence and clinical psychologists reports to be prepared.
The court was told a psychiatric report was already available.
Judge David Mellor adjourned the matter until September 21 for the reports to be prepared and remanded Plumridge, of Heron House, High Street, Haverhill, in custody.
Richard Plumridge, 22, of Haverhill, had denied murdering Sarah Rose Ketteridge, on December 12 last year.
Elizabeth Marsh QC, prosecuting, told Norwich Crown Court the baby had sustained deep skull fractures for which there was no explanation.
Miss Marsh said Plumridge maintained he had thrown the baby on to a sofa from which she fell onto the floor.
She said: "She could have hit her head on the sofa or the floor. That is his explanation of the fractures.
"There were two fractures and they may have been caused by one injury.
"The Crown has considered whether it will be able to establish to the satisfaction of a jury whether he intended to cause really serious harm.
"He intended to shut the baby up, but it is still in doubt whether he intended to cause her serious harm, so we will accept the change of plea to manslaughter today."
Graham Parkins QC, defending, asked for pre-sentence and clinical psychologists reports to be prepared.
The court was told a psychiatric report was already available.
Judge David Mellor adjourned the matter until September 21 for the reports to be prepared and remanded Plumridge, of Heron House, High Street, Haverhill, in custody.
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