A 26-year-old dad who murdered his four-month-old daughter has been jailed for life.
Tomas Driukas left his young daughter, Deimante Driukate, with a “catastrophic” brain injury when he shook her in “frustration” at their home The Sun reports.
He then twisted the truth so that his partner, 23-year-old Renata Braskyte, fell under suspicion.
Driukas, who is from Birmingham in the UK, was found guilty of murder and three charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm following the trial.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Jeremy Baker told him: “In my judgment there are significant aggravating features in this case, including the vulnerability of the child and of the age of Deimante.
“It was a breach of trust,” he said.
The judge said that Deimante would have suffered significant pain and discomfort as a result of her injuries.
The court heard that Driukas and Braskyte began their relationship in Lithuania before moving to the UK in 2010.
Baby Deimante was born prematurely in November 2014 and spent two months in hospital before being discharged. Driukas was working about a mile away but only visited his daughter eight times during that period, the court heard.
The couple then took it in turns to look after their daughter.
In the early hours of April 1 2015 a 999 call was made. Deimante was rushed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital but could not be revived.
The post-mortem examination revealed that Deimante had suffered a serious brain injury consistent with forceful shaking. She also had 26 rib fractures and bruising around her face.
Driukas initially told police that his daughter had collapsed during a feed but then later changed his story, saying she had fallen out of bed.
He will serve at least 21 years before he will be considered for parole.
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