Baby killer's sentence referred to Court of Appeal

The sentence of Michael Pearce - who was jailed for nine years for killing a six-week-old baby - has been referred to the Court of Appeal.

The Attorney General has confirmed that the matter had been referred following complaints that the sentence was 'unduly lenient.'

Pearce was jailed last month after being found guilty of the manslaughter of Alfie Rhys Sullock in July last year.

The case will be heard in five to six weeks.

The man convicted of the manslaughter of six-week-old baby Alfie Rhys Sullock is to have his nine year jail sentence reviewed by the Attorney General.

Pearce, 32, from Nelson near Caerphilly, was jailed in July.

The Attorney General's Office said it had received around 10 complaints that the sentence is too lenient.

The trial at Newport Crown Court last month heard how Alfie's mother Donna left him with Pearce for her first night out since giving birth.

During this time, Alfie sustained fatal head and abdominal injuries.

Pearce denied both murder and manslaughter but a jury found him guilty of manslaughter after 36 hours of deliberation.

A decision will be made on 27 August.

A man from Nelson has been sentenced to nine years in prison for killing a baby from Cardiff. 33 year old Michael Pearce was found guilty of the manslaughter of Alfie Rhys Sullock, by a majority of 10 to 2. Megan Boot reports from Newport Crown Court.

A court heard today that Michael Pearce, who was found guilty of the manslaughter of a six week-old baby Alfie Rhys Sullock, had "a momentary loss of self-control" and was "a man of previous impeccable character."

The magistrate's son, of Nelson, Caerphilly was sentenced today to nine years in jail.

A jury cleared Pearce of murder but convicted him of manslaughter.

Today his defence team told a packed courtroom that Pearce had a "momentary loss of control".

Defending QC Alexander Greenwood made submissions on behalf of Pearce - saying the injuries Alfie sustained were "unintentional and unintended. This was a momentary loss of self-control on the part of a man of previous impeccable character."

Judge Mr Justice Baker said the exact cause of Alfie's injuries would "probably remain unknown", it was likely they had been caused by up to "10 blows" from at least one object.

As the nine-year sentence was handed down, a cry of "Disgraceful" was heard from the public gallery.

Pearce could be released from prison on licence after serving half of his sentence.

Michael John Pearce, 32, was babysitting Alfie Rhys Sullock last year in Nelson, Caerphilly, while the child's mother went on a night out.

Alfie sustained fatal head and abdominal injuries.

Today Michael Pearce of Nelson was given a nine year-jail sentence at Newport Crown Court after being found guilty of manslaughter.

The jury in the trial of a man accused of killing six-week-old Alfie Rhys has found Michael Pearce guilty of manslaughter.

After the jury deliberated for almost 36 hours, they came to a majority verdict 10:2.

He is due to be sentenced tomorrow.

A man has been found guilty of the manslaughter of six week old Alfie Rhys.