- Dad who beat disabled son spared jail
- By Georgie Pilcher
- The Herald Sun
- 09/09/2008 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: PrincePlanet ( 6 articles in 2008 )
A MAN who beat his three-year-old mute and intellectually disabled son has been spared jail.
Leslie Arnephy, of South Melbourne, inflicted eye, face and head injuries on his young son when he twice assaulted him while bathing the toddler at his Glenroy home.
The boy, who is now seven, suffered haemorrhages in both eyes and face, and head injuries, caused by numerous blows to the head by his father during the attacks.
The toddler's injuries were reported to police by workers at a nearby supermarket who saw bruising on the boy's face.
Arnephy, 44, had separated from the boy's mother, who is also intellectually disabled, but was helping with his care at the time of the assault.
The County Court heard that Arnephy had assaulted his son between July and August 2004.
During the trial, the court heard the toddler was extremely vulnerable because he could not speak and was not able to tell his mother what had happened.
The boy's mother, Kim Apostoulou, told the court she relied on her ex-partner to help her care for the boy.
Ms Apostoulou said she needed Arnephy to help raise their son.
Arnephy had been banned from seeing his son for six months but now has access and continues to care for him.
He is engaged and living with his fiancee and her two young daughters.
Arnephy had pleaded not guilty to intentionally causing injury.
The court heard he had told police his son had slipped in the bath and hit his head.
A jury found Arnephy guilty of two counts of intentionally causing injury.
Judge Lance Pilgrim convicted Arnephy and sentenced him to a two-year good-behaviour bond and 50 hours of community work.
Judge Pilgrim said Arnephy's previous good character, long history of employment and otherwise clean criminal record were considerations in sentencing.
Leslie Arnephy, of South Melbourne, inflicted eye, face and head injuries on his young son when he twice assaulted him while bathing the toddler at his Glenroy home.
The boy, who is now seven, suffered haemorrhages in both eyes and face, and head injuries, caused by numerous blows to the head by his father during the attacks.
The toddler's injuries were reported to police by workers at a nearby supermarket who saw bruising on the boy's face.
Arnephy, 44, had separated from the boy's mother, who is also intellectually disabled, but was helping with his care at the time of the assault.
The County Court heard that Arnephy had assaulted his son between July and August 2004.
During the trial, the court heard the toddler was extremely vulnerable because he could not speak and was not able to tell his mother what had happened.
The boy's mother, Kim Apostoulou, told the court she relied on her ex-partner to help her care for the boy.
Ms Apostoulou said she needed Arnephy to help raise their son.
Arnephy had been banned from seeing his son for six months but now has access and continues to care for him.
He is engaged and living with his fiancee and her two young daughters.
Arnephy had pleaded not guilty to intentionally causing injury.
The court heard he had told police his son had slipped in the bath and hit his head.
A jury found Arnephy guilty of two counts of intentionally causing injury.
Judge Lance Pilgrim convicted Arnephy and sentenced him to a two-year good-behaviour bond and 50 hours of community work.
Judge Pilgrim said Arnephy's previous good character, long history of employment and otherwise clean criminal record were considerations in sentencing.
Source: https://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,24315817-2862,00.html
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