FATHER CONVICTED OF BABY KILLING
A 'violent and controlling' father was today convicted of killing his baby daughter, 25 years after it was suspected she had died of cot death.Norwich Crown Court heard that an emotional reunion between David Riches and his estranged son Micah, in 2007, triggered the events which led to the current manslaughter trial when he confessed to killing his six-week-old sister Melanin, who died in 1985.
Former Norwich man David Riches is also said to have embarked on a 'reign of cruelty' and is alleged to have gone on to abuse a succession of women and children.
Riches, 51, now of Pezens, France, had denied manslaughter and six assaults and four counts of child cruelty but was convicted on all counts following a lengthy trial.
During the trial, Riches was cleared of murdering Melanin following directions by the trial judge Peter Jacobs.
His sentencing was adjourned for full reports including psychiatric reports and Judge Jacobs said: 'I think the defendant is a very controlling man who is subject to fits of quite unpredictable and violent behavior.
There are times on occasions when he seems totally reasonable and other occasions when his behavior becomes completely uncontrollable and violent.' He remanded Riches in custody to await his sentencing, which will be at a later date.
