Tue, 27 Oct 2015
No5 Chamber’s barrister Christopher Hotten QC prosecuted in the trial of the “agonising” murder of a 14-month-old baby.
Marek Holub, 27, admitted to the murder of Santino Balaz, who died on New Years Day in Balsall Heath, Birmingham.
Holub was given a life sentence at Leicester Crown Court and was told he will serve at least 20 years.
Holub’s partner, and Santino’s half sister, Tereza Lackova, 20, received a five-year jail term for allowing the death of a child and child neglect.
Santino was taking to Birmingham Children’s hospital after police and paramedics responded to a call about a baby not breathing. Santino died shortly after arriving.
Several injuries, including bruises to his face, chest, legs and arms were discovered, prompting the arrest of Holub and Lackova.
The couple initially claimed that ghosts were responsible for Santino’s injuries, but changed their pleas to guilty part way through the trial.
To read more on this story, click here to visit BBC News or click here to view The Independent
Click here to view Christopher Hotten QC's profile
