A dad has admitted killing his four-month-old baby son by shaking him in a fit of anger.
At the High Court in Glasgow 34-year-old David Sinclair, a supermarket worker, pleaded guilty to the culpable homicide of his son Joshua at their home at 12 Ontario Park, East Kilbride, on December 6, 2012.
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He was originally charged with murder, but admitted the reduced charge of killing his son, just days before he was due to go on trial.
He married his wife Kirsty, who is pregnant, on the anniversary of their son's first birthday on July 9, 2013, and the court was told that she is standing by him.
Prosecutor Ashley Edwards said that on December 6, 2012 at 5.41pm she received a phone call from Sinclair, who told her: “Joshua isn't breathing properly, come home right away,” then hung up and dialled 999.”
A team of medical experts and discovered evidence of trauma in the eyes and brain which could only have been caused non-accidentally close to the time of death.
Defence QC Ian Duguid said: “He is extremely remorseful for the events which have ensued. Witnesses in double figures would have come forward to talk of his caring abilities as a parent.”
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Judge Lord Bannatyne deferred sentence on Sinclair, who has previous convictions for assault, until next month for background reports.
Sinclair and his new wife Kirsty – Joshua's mum – had a “wedding reception with a difference” at Langlands Golf Club in East Kilbride on July 9 2013 to fundraise in his son's memory.
Unwitting family and friends handed over cash on the night.
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