GUILTY UK - Zakari Bennett, 11 months, dies after thrown into river, Manchester, Sept 2019 *Arrest*

[Ironside]

How can he also be charged with manslaughter? Am I missing something?

It's a back up charge. Murder requires evidence of intent so a manslaughter charge is also chucked in to ensure he doesn't walk free.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Maybe it's just my impression but there are too many child killers in the UK....I thought we were country #1 for crimes against kids but prolly I was wrong...
Unfortunately UK abolished the death penalty in 1998...sad...

Fairly sure you've got the wrong impression. A quick google tells me around 40 children are murdered in the UK each year. It's 40 too many, of course, but it's a pretty low rate compared to some Westernised countries.

 

[KarenUK]

Maybe it's just reported more here and that makes it seems like we have a very high rate? The UK abolished the death penalty in 1960s, not 1998. This CNN article reports that on average 500 children are killed by parents each year in the US, and this link from 2017 details the countries with the highest child homicide rates.

All the information I have found shows similar figures for the UK as Cags has put above - The Telegraph had an article back in 2017 stating that 38 people under the age of 16 had been murdered in 2016, that's "stranger killings" as well as filicide.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Maybe it's just reported more here and that makes it seems like we have a very high rate?

Yes, it's reported here more because it's more unusual and makes big headline news. In some countries, sadly, it's just another day.

 

[Sarahlou]

Maybe it's just my impression but there are too many child killers in the UK....I thought we were country #1 for crimes against kids but prolly I was wrong...
Unfortunately UK abolished the death penalty in 1998...sad...

I don't think we have a lot considering the population. Everywhere has and always has had parents that kill their kids, and murders of children by strangers here are extremely rare.

It's a back up charge. Murder requires evidence of intent so a manslaughter charge is also chucked in to ensure he doesn't walk free.

Ah ok thank you.

 

[BlackCloud]

Maybe it's just reported more here and that makes it seems like we have a very high rate? The UK abolished the death penalty in 1960s, not 1998. This CNN article reports that on average 500 children are killed by parents each year in the US, and this link from 2017 details the countries with the highest child homicide rates.

All the information I have found shows similar figures for the UK as Cags has put above - The Telegraph had an article back in 2017 stating that 38 people under the age of 16 had been murdered in 2016, that's "stranger killings" as well as filicide.

The death penalty wasn't completely abolished in the 60's.
As far as I know the Murder Act 1965 abolished the death penalty but not for all crimes. High treason, piracy, some military crimes and other ordinary crimes were left as capital offences until 1998 (Human Rights Act 1998 and Crime and Disorder Act 1998)

 

[BlackCloud]

Fairly sure you've got the wrong impression. A quick google tells me around 40 children are murdered in the UK each year. It's 40 too many, of course, but it's a pretty low rate compared to some Westernised countries.

I was pretty sure but...well...I'm really glad I've got the wrong impression

 

[Cakegremlin35]

Dad charged with murder of son found in river sectioned under Mental Health Act


Dad charged with murder of son found in river sectioned under Mental Health Act

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Zakari's mum has just had a baby girl

Mother of 11-month-old baby who died gives birth to a new daughter | Daily Mail Online

 

[LadyL]

fly high with the angels Zakari

 

[Legally Bland]

I think the accused was in Preston Crown Court today.

Preston Crown Court 1 U20200120
Zak Bennett (T20197504 Manchester Case)
Details: For Mention - Case Started - 09:57
For Mention - Case adjourned until 10:10 - 10:05
For Mention - Resume - 10:26

https://www.thelawpages.com/court-hearings-lists/Preston-Crown-Court.php

According to this article the trial is due to start on March 9:
Dad charged with murder of son found in river sectioned under Mental Health Act

 

[CoverMeCagney]

His father Zak Bennett-Eko, 23, denies his murder and was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the incident, the court heard.

Father, 23, who killed his 11-month-old baby son by throwing him into a river claims insanity | Daily Mail Online

 

[YaYa_521]

Zakari Bennett-Eko: Dad convicted of killing son he threw into river
Nov. 30, 2020
A man has been found guilty of killing his 11-month-old son by throwing him into a river. [snip] He has been convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Zakari Bennett-Eko: Dad who killed baby son 'lost' by care system
Jul. 01, 2021
Zak Bennett-Eko, 23, was sentenced to a hospital order after being found guilty of the manslaughter by diminished responsibility of his son Zakari.