Man jailed for raping, trying to kill two-year-old son

By Christine Flatley From: AAP March 12, 2010 4:52PM

A MAN has been jailed for 15 years for raping his two-year-old son and then trying to kill him so he wouldn't tell anyone.

The 36-year-old man, who cannot be named, sobbed as he was sentenced today for the horrific attack on his young son at the family's Collingwood Park home in April last year.

Prosecutor Sal Vasta told the Supreme Court in Brisbane the incident occurred while the man was at home alone with the boy and his twin brother. The court was told the man drew the curtains and exposed himself to the young boys. He then forced his penis into the frightened boy's mouth.

Mr Vasta said the man then decided to kill his son so he wouldn't tell anyone about the incident. He strangled the boy until he went limp, all the while apologising to his son.

"He said repeatedly: 'Sorry mate, dad's sorry'," Mr Vasta said.

When he realised the boy wasn't dead, the father went to the garage to find a claw hammer. He raised the weapon to strike the boy's head, but realised he couldn't follow through with the plan, and so resumed trying to strangle him.

While his other son watched, the man then tied a shoelace around the boy's neck before finally panicking and calling police. When police arrived the man made full confessions and was arrested, the court was told.

He pleaded guilty today to two counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12 who is a lineal descendant, and one each of rape and attempted murder.

The court was told the full extent of the boy's injuries are still not known, but that he initially spent nine days in hospital after being placed in an induced coma.

The court was told the man had been emotionally vulnerable at the time, had been sexually abused himself as a child, and was deeply ashamed of his actions.

Under Queensland law, he will be required to serve at least 80 per cent of his sentence before being eligible to apply for parole.

From: http://www.news.com.au/national/man-jailed-for-raping-trying-to-kill-two-year-old-son/story-e6frfkvr-1225840135055