- Nicholas Baxter was found guilty of manslaughter in Queensland on Monday
- The 37-year-old was sentenced to nine years in jail on Tuesday for his son’s death
- Matthew Baxter suffered brain hemorrhaging and 17 rib fractures before he died
A former Australian soldier has been sentenced to nine years in prison for shaking his six-week-old son to death in 2011.
Nicholas Baxter will be eligible for parole in April 2022, according to 7News.
Baxter, 37, was cleared of a murder charge, but found guilty of manslaughter by a Supreme Court jury in Townsville on Monday.
Matthew Baxter suffered brain hemorrhaging and 17 rib fractures before he died, ABC News reported.
Former Australian soldier Nicholas Baxter (pictured with his wife) was sentenced on Tuesday to nine years in prison for shaking his six-week-old son to death in 2011
Baxter’s wife and family, who supported him throughout the six-week trial, were visibly upset in court.
His wife Tenae gasped and said ‘no, no, no’ as the verdict was read, according to The Townsville Bulletin.
The court heard Baxter had called Bluewater Medical Practice in Townsville on November 3, 2011, to report his son was unwell.
He had been alone with the baby while his wife was away.
Baxter denied he was responsible for the baby’s death throughout the trial.
Matthew Baxter (pictured) suffered brain hemorrhaging and 17 rib fractures before he died