At the age of just seven weeks, Nathaniel Lawrencxjmtzywe was violently attacked by his own father, who vigorously shook the infant out of “anger and frustration” and also inflicted some form of blunt force trauma.
Nathaniel suffered such horrific trauma in October 2017 that it caused bleeding on his brain, fractured ribs, and injuries to other parts of his body.
He was left with a catastrophic brain injury that ultimately led to his death less than one year later.
On Tuesday, his father Micheal Ashley Macrae was sentenced in the West Australian Supreme Court to 11-and-a-half years in prison for manslaughter.
“You robbed Nathaniel of what would, in the normal course of events, have been a long and happy life,” Justice Anthony Derrick said.
The court was told Macrae had refused to return Nathaniel to his mother Erica Lawrence the day before the assault, prompting her to call police, who conducted a welfare check and found the baby was fine.
Nathaniel could not be settled during the night, which led Macrae to assault him, then he went to sleep.
Macrae later took Nathaniel to Narrogin Hospital, where he denied causing any harm to the baby, then the infant was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth for further treatment.
Nathaniel was eventually placed in respite care, then lived with his mother’s family.
He died in September 2018 from complications – specifically pneumonia and seizures – associated with the irrevocable injury to and loss of function of his brain.
Macrae, 29, was charged with murder, but was instead found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter following a trial.
“You shook Nathaniel and subjected him to physical abuse out of anger and frustration because you were unable to settle him and make him go to sleep,” Justice Derrick said.
“You were in a position of responsibility as Nathaniel’s father and sole caregiver.
“You failed terribly to fulfil the responsibility for his care that you had voluntarily assumed.”
Macrae will be eligible for parole after serving nine-and-a-half years behind bars.
Outside court, Ms Lawrence said she was satisfied with the sentence.
She said she wanted her son to be remembered as “a beautiful, innocent boy”.
“He should have had his father protect him and look out for him, and not do this,” she said.
“I think it hits home a lot more knowing that it was his father who did this and not just some person.”
