Michael John Topp, a Christchurch man found guilty of murdering his 3-month-old daughter by inflicting severe abuse, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 17 years before parole consideration.
The infant sustained at least 31 fractures and two severe head injuries before the final, fatal assault.
Despite admitting to causing the injuries, Topp denied intending to kill his daughter, arguing for manslaughter instead.
However, the jury convicted him of murder and two additional charges of grievous bodily harm.
During the sentencing, the baby’s mother delivered a powerful Victim Impact Statement, expressing profound grief and anger over the loss and Topp’s actions.
Justice Anne Hinton, who sentenced Topp, acknowledged the impact of the crime on the baby’s family and friends, emphasising the callous and reckless nature of the abuse. The court heard details of Topp’s calculated attempts to hide his actions and his lack of genuine remorse. Prosecutor Deidre Elsmore highlighted the brutal and unremorseful nature of Topp’s conduct, while the defense cited Topp’s personal struggles as mitigating factors. Ultimately, the court rejected claims of genuine remorse and underscored the gravity of the crime, resulting in Topp’s life sentence.
Before sentencing Justice Hinton spoke directly to the baby’s mother, acknowledging her pain and telling her she was an “excellent and devoted mother.” She reassured her that she could not have foreseen Topp’s actions, despite taking the baby to medical professionals who also failed to detect the abuse.
“Even the doctors you took [her] to were totally unsuspecting,” Hinton said, noting that the baby’s injuries were not visible.
“You are castigating yourself for her death and you are not to do so. It was in no way your fault. You are a victim.”
Sometimes life should mean just that…..
17 years is not life, give him actual life and then the next person may not be so stupid. No parole either.
How these infants killed by sadistic men must suffer before they die.
These men practise such cruelty because they like hearing the child scream with pain. It stimulates the hypothalamus. It is an acquired taste. It will never go away. Such men cannot be rehabilitated and remain a constant danger to society.
“It was in no way your fault. You are a victim…”
I’m undoubtedly going to p!ss some people off with this comment, but how can the judge possibly know that? How could that monster have beaten the baby so severely without the mother having heard her cries? How could she not have seen marks or bruises on the child when it was time to bath or change a nappy?
Maybe I just need more information about the case.
Having a hard time believing she knew absolutely nothing about what was happening. It’s simply not possible. Nothing against the poor woman, and I’m not blaming her, but contrary to the judge’s opinion she DOES bear some responsibility here. You owe a duty of care and protection to your children, even if the one abusing them is your own spouse.
The BABY was the victim, no one else.