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Benjamin Roach sentenced to seven years for baby death Benjamin Roach sentenced to seven years for baby death
(34 minutes later)
A 24-year-old Plymouth man who killed his four week old daughter has been jailed for seven years. A man who killed his four-week-old daughter by shaking her violently has been jailed for seven years.
Benjamin Roach, 24, had denied the manslaughter of Roxie-Jo Hopkins-Roach, who died in September 2010, but was convicted unanimously. Benjamin Roach, 24, from Plymouth, had denied the manslaughter of Roxie-Jo Hopkins-Roach, who died in September 2010, but was convicted unanimously.
One of her injuries was similar to what might be seen as a result of a road crash, Plymouth Crown Court was told.One of her injuries was similar to what might be seen as a result of a road crash, Plymouth Crown Court was told.
Doctors told the trial that injuries suffered by Roxie could not have been caused accidently. Doctors told the trial injuries suffered by Roxie could not have been caused accidently.
Jurors heard Roach, of Tailyour Road, may have shaken the baby before throwing her down hard on to a sofa or bed, and the baby would have been blind if she had survived.Jurors heard Roach, of Tailyour Road, may have shaken the baby before throwing her down hard on to a sofa or bed, and the baby would have been blind if she had survived.
Police were called to the house in Plymstock that Roach shared with Roxie-Jo's mother, Kelly Hopkins, on 23 September 2010. 'Utterly unforgiveable'
Roach told police that Roxie was "screaming" and "crying heavily" after he was left alone with her. The court heard it happened the first time Roach was left along with Roxie-Jo.
Judge Graham Cottle said: "You simply lost your temper and self control and committed a serious and unlawful act on a helpless baby."
Police were called to the house in Plymstock Roach shared with Roxie-Jo's mother, Kelly Hopkins, on 23 September 2010.
Roach told police Roxie was "screaming" and "crying heavily" after he was left alone with her.
He said he picked her up to calm her down but she suddenly became "floppy".He said he picked her up to calm her down but she suddenly became "floppy".
However Roach later changed his story and said he had dropped her 4ft (1.2m) on to a carpeted floor.However Roach later changed his story and said he had dropped her 4ft (1.2m) on to a carpeted floor.
Roxie-Jo was taken to a high-dependency unit where she died the day after, police said.Roxie-Jo was taken to a high-dependency unit where she died the day after, police said.
Judge Cottle said: "Nearly three years have now gone by and you have continued to deny Kelly and others to have some closure.
"You have been concerned for only preserving your own skin. Your response has been utterly unforgiveable."
He said Roach had "persistently evaded the truth" and had "evaded responsibility for what happened from the outset".
After the verdict, Ms Hopkins said her daughter "can now rest in peace and justice has been served".After the verdict, Ms Hopkins said her daughter "can now rest in peace and justice has been served".