AN Ipswich man who killed his baby son has had his sentencing date postponed due to a change in legal representation.
Helen Skene
AN Ipswich man who killed his baby son has had his sentencing date postponed due to a change in legal representation.
Duncan Mills was due to be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court today for the murder of one month old Luigi Askew and for inflicting grievous bodily harm on the baby's mother Samantha Askew.
Thirty-two year old Mills of London Road was found guilty by a jury in February following a trial and sentencing was adjourned for a psychiatric report to be prepared.
Judge John Devaux said: “Mills had dispensed with the legal team that represented him during the trial and had instructed new counsel in April. However the new firm had not contacted the court and did not arrive for Mills' sentencing.”
Judge Devaux said “he very much regretted” adjourning sentencing as family from both sides had attended.
He added: “I do not feel I can apportion blame on the information I have before me today.”
He said he would fix a new date for sentencing within seven days.
Mills was arrested for Luigi's death after paramedics were called to Lancercost Way in Ipswich last May. Luigi died from abdominal and head injuries.
Ms Askew, 23, told police the baby was crying and Mills said he was going to “shut him up”.
She said she then heard a noise like “something knocking on a radiator”.
Mills has been remanded in custody until he is sentenced.
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