A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of his 23-month-old relative, following what was described as “significant” abuse.
Trevor James Thomsen entered a guilty plea to one count of manslaughter in November 2024, ahead of his sentencing on Monday in the Cairns Supreme Court.
Crown Prosecutor Michael Lehane told the court that around 4 a.m. on September 27, 2021, Thomsen called emergency services after finding his great-nephew unresponsive and cold.
Paramedics arrived at the Gordonvale property in Far North Queensland to find the toddler with visible injuries and no pulse. He was transported to Cairns Hospital at 4:30 a.m. but was pronounced dead just over an hour later at 5:41 a.m.
A post-mortem examination revealed the child had 34 bruises across his face and body. The cause of death was identified as sepsis and internal bleeding from a ruptured bowel, which resulted from blunt force trauma to the abdomen.
Mr Lehane sought a sentence of up to 12 years, stating: “He was a completely innocent little boy who deserved love and care, not the severe abuse he endured.”
Fatal injuries likely inflicted days earlier
During the hearing, the court was told that Thomsen initially claimed he had accidentally kneed the child after tripping over him that night. However, prosecutors argued the injuries were inflicted between four and eight days before the child died.
Witnesses at a barbecue hosted by Thomsen and his partner in the days leading up to the incident recalled the child appearing cheerful despite bruises on his head. They also observed him falling repeatedly in an “unprotected” manner.
Forensic pathologists explained that sepsis had impacted the child’s motor functions. “If he was placed on his feet, he would’ve been unstable and prone to falling,” Mr Lehane said.
Family devastated by loss
Several family members were visibly emotional during the proceedings. A victim impact statement from the boy’s father was read aloud in court.
“This was one of the worst things I’ve seen in my life. I’ve experienced violence and seen injuries, but what I saw was horrific,” he wrote. “It was so bad I can’t even describe it.”
Defence lawyer James Sheridan noted that Thomsen had suffered the loss of his twin sister earlier that year, which led him to use methamphetamine. He also described Thomsen’s upbringing as one marked by abuse and dysfunction.
There were audible reactions of relief and sorrow from the courtroom gallery as Justice James Henry handed down the 11-year sentence.
While acknowledging that some witnesses had seen the boy appear happy in his final days, Justice Henry stressed this did not lessen the severity of the crime.
“The true test of conduct isn’t how one behaves in public, but what they do when no one is watching,” he said.
