CONTENT WARNING: This story contains descriptions of child abuse and may be distressing to some readers.
Father Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Death of Infant Son as Court Hears of Family’s Ongoing Grief
Four years after the tragic death of her newborn son, a grieving mother has told a South Australian court of the “excruciating pain” she still feels, as the boy’s father awaits sentencing for his role in the child’s death.
Ashley John McGregor, 35, was found guilty of the manslaughter and criminal neglect of 21-day-old Alvin, who died in April 2021 from injuries consistent with those sustained in a high-speed car crash.
In an emotional victim impact statement read in the District Court on Wednesday, Alvin’s mother, Rebecca Denton, recalled the three weeks after Alvin’s birth as the “best” of her life — until that joy was destroyed.
“You took one of the most important people away from me and I will never forgive you,” Denton said.
“All I have left of Alvin are his pictures and his ashes.”
She described a future lost — of never hearing her son say “I love you” or seeing him start kindergarten, which he would have done this year.
Judge Condemns McGregor’s Conduct
Judge Paul Muscat described McGregor’s actions as “reprehensible” and said his failure to seek medical help after shaking the child was a serious aggravating factor.
“Knowing what he did and just pretending that his baby would get better just doesn’t cut it,” Judge Muscat said.
While McGregor claimed during the trial that he accidentally dropped Alvin after tripping, the court heard the infant had sustained multiple severe injuries.
The court also heard that instead of seeking help, McGregor misled Denton, suggesting the baby might be experiencing cannabis withdrawal, and even encouraged her to blow cannabis smoke in the baby’s face to calm him — knowing he had caused serious harm.
Family’s Grief Laid Bare
Alvin’s grandmother, Bernadine Denton, said the family was left with “silence, grief and an emptiness” in place of the joy Alvin should have brought.
“Alvin mattered, his life had value, he deserves so much better,” she said.
Alvin’s teenage brother also gave a heartbreaking statement, expressing guilt and anger.
“I partly blame myself for not being there to save him,” he wrote. “I know I would have been 12 but still, I could have done something.”
McGregor Appeals Conviction
McGregor has lodged an appeal against his conviction and continues to deny that he violently shook his son.
His lawyer, Chris Allen, told the court that McGregor had led an “unremarkable life,” aside from past workplace bullying. The sentence handed down will be cumulative on another prison term McGregor is already serving for unrelated offences.
