Heidi Strbak has been sentenced for the manslaughter of her son Tyrell Dennis Strbak Cobb. Photo / News Ltd
Heidi Strbak has been sentenced for the manslaughter of her son Tyrell Dennis Strbak Cobb. Photo / News Ltd
Heidi Strbak has been sentenced to a maximum nine years prison for the manslaughter of her four-year-old son, Tyrell Cobb.
Aussie mum Strbak, whose had begged her innocence minutes before she received the maximum requested by the Crown, will be eligible for parole in four years.
Before Justice Peter Applegarthpassed sentence on her, Strbak made a emotional statement from the dock saying her conviction was "a mistake ... an injustice".
"When (Tyrell) was taken away from me I lost my life as well," she said.
"I have not caused the injuries that I am being blamed for and I believe that it is a mistake and an injustice not only towards Tyrell, but to my family, his other family and myself."
Earlier in the day, Strbak had sobbed and shook her head in the dock as evidence was read out in court.
Last week, Strbak, 34, was found to have inflicted one or more blunt force trauma blows to her son Tyrell Cobb, killing him.
The Crown urged Justice Applegarth to sentence Strbak to nine years jail, however her defence counsel recommended a maximum of seven years.
Prosector Philip McCarthy also requested Justice Applegarth declare Strbak a serious violent offender which would ensure she serves 80 per cent of her sentence.
Mr McCarthy told court Strbak's "behaviour and failure to seek assistance for her child displayed a considerable disregard to her son's wellbeing".
Tyrell Cobb suffered a blow or blows to his body including blunt force trauma to his abdomen between May 22 and 24, 2009.
He died in hospital on May 24, shortly after being admitted.
Heidi Strbak arrives at the Supreme Court in Brisbane on November 16, 2017. Photo / AAP
A post mortem showed his organs had been perforated and the contents of his stomach leaked into his abdomen.
Prosecutor Philip McCarthy told the court that on his last weekend alive, Tyrell had been visibly sick and vomiting.
His vomit was "described as the colour of bile".
While Strbak was away from her home and in the care of her then partner Matthew Scown, Tyrell lost consciousness.
An ambulance was called but Tyrell was declared dead after arriving at the Gold Coast hospital.
In September, Scown pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of failing to take Tyrell to the doctor.
Matthew Scown was pictured laughing as he left court. Photo / AAP
He was sentenced to a maximum four years, but was immediately released after serving two years and eight months in prison.
Scown was pictured laughing as he left court.
On Monday, Justice Applegarth told the court, "Unless we as a community learn from this terrible case, it is inevitable there will be another case like it".
