Father accused of abuse pleads guilty in Sherbrooke

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The trial was to continue for several more days. (Archive photo)

Radio-Canada

A father accused of mistreating his newborn pleaded guilty Friday morning to the charge of aggravated assault against him at the Sherbrooke courthouse

This is a turnaround in the situation, since the trial was to continue for several more days and welcome different experts to the bar.

Defense lawyer Patrick Fréchette recounted the facts: on his way to work on March 28, the father gave the baby a bottle while the mother slept. It didn't go as planned. The contents of the bottle spilled, he changed the child, started again, and finally the baby choked.

The father took the child and sat him on his lap, but the child was still unable to catch his breath. So that's when he took the child under the armpits and started shaking him in a state of panic, which worked because the child stopped choking . The baby was hospitalized on March 29.

The prosecution subsequently indicated that the baby today shows overall normal development, despite a slight delay. His motor skills are developing completely normally, social interactions are completely normal.

I just wanted to say that I greatly regret what I did, I really would have liked to perform, I apologize from the bottom of my heart. Towards my family, towards my partner, towards the [baby], I never, ever wanted to carry out actions like that. I was really panicked that morning, I really apologize deeply, he said with emotion.

The x27;the father's identity cannot be revealed to protect that of the child.

The prosecution proposed a prison sentence of two years less a day, but in the community. She highlighted the child's mother's wish that he not go to prison. The dad presents no risk of recidivism, according to the judge, and no risk for society. The suit then suggests three years with follow-ups.

The judge is expected to issue his decision on November 15.

With information from Zoé Bellehumour