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Matthew Lee Williamson is being sentenced in Brisbane District Court over the death of his daughter, Kyhesha-Lee Joughin. The three-year-old died in March 2013 after suffering deliberate and protracted physical and sexual assault.
The court has heard detailed evidence from Williamson’s former flatmate Christopher Arthur Neville Kent, 47, who previously spent 19 months in jail after also pleading guilty to the toddler’s manslaughter.
While appearing in court, Kent recalled that Williamson was more concerned with getting a coffee and a cigarette than helping him to resuscitate the toddler.
“He didn’t give a s***,” Kent said of his former flatmate, who reportedly slept on a nearby couch as the toddler’s lips turned blue.
“He just wanted his coffee and smoke.”
Kyhesha-Lee died after a penetrative bowel injury – consistent with a blow from a fist or foot or an adult falling on her – became infected. The toddler also had bruising on her face, cuts to her ears and lip as well as a crushed finger.
Kent explained that he witnessed the regular physical abuse of the toddler while living in the squalid Petrie apartment where Kyhesha-Lee died on March 30. He added that Williamson, who denies causing the injuries, had punched the child in the belly in the weeks leading up to her death.
WATCH: Kyhesha-Lee lived a tragic live. Post continues after video…
He added that the father would keep Kyhesha-Lee locked in her bedroom for hours at a time and would become extremely angry when the toddler would defecate and throw her faeces around the room.
“It was like two adults fighting,” he said.
“She cried and cried and cried, and all Matt could do was yell.”
The court also heard that while bathing his daughter, Williamson attempted to brush her hair but instead ripped it out in clumps.
Kent, who has a criminal history dating back to 1989, has previously been convicted of sexual assault but claims he never abused the toddler.
As the sentence hearing before Justice Roslyn Atkinson continues, a handful of other witnesses – including former neighbours – are expected to provide further evidence.
