British man jailed for killing four-month-old baby

A man from Oxfordshire in England has today been jailed for six years for killing a four-month-old boy.

Colin Scholey (aged 26) was found guilty of the manslaughter of Thomas Preece by a jury at Reading Crown Court, Thames Valley Police said.

Thomas was pronounced dead at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on June 29, 2009 after suffering a "catastrophic" injury.

Prosecutors said the circumstances surrounding Thomas' death would only be known to Scholey, who had been entrusted with his care.

Experts discounted all other possibilities other than that Thomas died at the hands of Scholey, of Blounts Court Road, Sonning Common.

Following Scholey's sentence, the baby's parents, Hannah and Andrew Preece, said: "Thomas was our life. He was our pride and joy.

"Words cannot explain the pain we have felt every day since Thomas was taken from us. It will never leave us."

CPS prosecutor Simon Heptonstall said: "The jury has heard all the evidence and today convicted Mr Scholey of manslaughter, and he has been sentenced accordingly for his crime.

"This verdict and punishment reflect society's concern for the protection of its youngest and most vulnerable.

"It can never adequately reflect the sense of loss felt by Thomas's parents, with whom our thoughts remain."