Cannabis addict dad Kane Kennedy, who smothered his baby son to death by forcing his fingers down the tot’s throat is jailed
Kennedy, 20, would snap after smoking the drug and take his toxic rages out on his son
A FECKLESS dad who smothered his baby to death during a string of violent temper tantrums triggered by his cannabis addiction has been jailed for life.
Kane Kennedy, 20, would snap after smoking the drug then take out his toxic rages on seven-month-old Oskar Jobey-Kennedy when the infant started crying.
Despite being told by the baby's teenage mother to give up his habit for the safety of their child, Kennedy refused.
A court heard that he threw the tot round ''like a toy'' and pushed his fingers down his throat "to silence him".
In October last year Oskar was found unresponsive at the couple's flat in Morecambe, Lancashire and rushed to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, where he was pronounced dead.
At Preston Crown Court Kennedy was convicted of murder and today ordered to serve a minimum of 18 years.
During his trial, the court heard Kennedy's partner Tia Jobey, 19, was concerned about his violent behaviour towards their child, cannabis use and immaturity.
Police discovered Facebook messages between the two from days before the killing.
In one post, Jobey said: "You can't control your anger because of the weed I just want you to be a f****** normal person.
"If you're not willing to be the man for me and for Oscar then I'm done. You make your decision and stick with it once you have made it there's no going back."
Another read: "I'm trying to make sure Oskar is happy and safe and while you are addicted to weed and violent and abusive he's not safe at all.
"You throw him around like a toy, suffocate him, stick your finger down his f****** throat! And he's always in the middle of our arguments and fights. If you aren't going to protect your son and be a f****** dad then I'm leaving."
Six days after the messages, the couple went to a shop with Oscar, but a further row erupted and they went home separately.
The following morning Kennedy rang 999 saying: "I've woke up, I've woke up, I've woke up, I've fallen asleep. I've woke up this morning and fell asleep on the couch with my son last night and I've woke up and he's not f****** breathing."
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In police interview, Kennedy - who denied murder - told officers he fell asleep with the tot under his arm and woke to find him not breathing.
In court he claimed his son had been asleep on a sofa with Jobey - whilst he slept in a bedroom - and accused her of causing the baby's death.
The court also heard there were a catalogue of other non-accidental injuries on the infant's body - including to his genitals and inside the baby's mouth, consistent with fingers being pushed forcibly inside.
The jury was told that in public Kennedy had appeared to be the doting dad as he proudly posed with baby Oskar in his arms with wellwishers fawning over their ''cute'' family pictures.
Sentencing him to life in prison, Judge Mr Justice William Davies told Kennedy: "Oskar was a tiny baby who relied upon those in charge of his care to protect him. In his case both of those in the relationship failed him.
"His mother knew that he was at serious risk and did not take adequate steps to protect him and you were the one that killed that tiny baby.
"You caused serious and hugely painful injuries to Oskars genital area and pushed your fingers down his throats and suffocated him.
"It was a dreadful thing to do to that seven month old tiny baby who was in the care of you. Your family life was well supported both by your grandmother and Tia's mother and this is not a case where you were at your wits end."
Detective Chief Inspector Jon Holmes, of Lancashire Constabulary said: "The level of injuries inflicted on this defenceless child by Kennedy are frankly obscene.
"It is almost impossible to understand the mind-set of someone who could do this to any child, let alone their own son.
"My thoughts remain with the wider family of baby Oskar who have been through so much over the last year."
The couple continued their relationship after Oskar's death and Jobey has since given birth to their second child.
Jobey, 19, of Morecambe, had earlier admitted causing or allowing the death of a child.
She was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
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