A father is convicted after a jury hears how his daughter suffered brain trauma, bruising to her face and several fractured ribs.
17:48, UK, Monday 22 February 2016
Tomas Driukas court case
A father who shook his baby daughter to death has been found guilty of her murder.
Tomas Driukas called an ambulance to his home after reporting four-month-old Deimante Driukaite had breathing difficulties.
Deimante, who was born three months prematurely, was admitted to hospital in the early hours of 1 April 2015, but died a few hours later.
An investigation revealed she died as a result of a significant brain trauma consistent with being shaken with force.
She also had bruising to her face and body and several fractured ribs.
Driukas 26, of Perry Barr, Birmingham, denied inflicting the injuries but was found guilty of murder at the city's crown court.
He will be sentenced on Tuesday.
Detective Sergeant Nick Barnes, from West Midlands Police Homicide Team, said: "Driukas was her father and should have been responsible for the wellbeing and protection of his daughter...
"She was entirely vulnerable, requiring complete care, love and compassion.
"She was just 55cm (21in) tall and weighed less than 9lbs (4kg).
"Since the time of her death and the end of the trial, Driukas continued to deny any wrongdoing. He has shown no meaningful remorse."
Sgt Barnes added: "Even when his daughter was gravely ill he neglected to give an honest account to medical experts in order for them to treat her appropriately.
"She had been injured on at least four occasions and had suffered multiple rib fractures caused by her tiny ribcage being squeezed.
"She also had bruising to her face. The force required was well in excess of what would be expected in handling a baby of this size.
"The cause of her death was non-accidental head injury which had been caused by her being violently shaken."