Father, 23, who killed his 11-month-old baby son by throwing him into a river claims insanity

0

An 11-month-old boy died after he was thrown into a river by his father, a court has heard.

Baby Zakari Bennett-Eko was rescued from the River Irwell in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, on September 11 last year by emergency services but later pronounced dead at hospital, a jury at a Nightingale court sitting at The Lowry theatre in Salford heard on Monday.

His father Zak Bennett-Eko, 23, denies his murder and was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the incident, the court heard.

Rob Hall, prosecuting, said: ‘At 4.20 in the afternoon of Wednesday September 11 2019 in Radcliffe, north Manchester, Zak Bennett-Eko, then 22 years old, threw his 11-month-old son Zakari into the River Irwell.

‘There is no dispute that at the time Mr Bennett-Eko was suffering from mental illness.

‘The act was observed by members of the public who quickly raised the alarm, however due to the inaccessibility of the river and strength of the current it was about an hour before the emergency services were able to rescue Zakari, by which time his heart had stopped and he was very cold.’

Zakari William Bennett-Eko pictured with his mum Emma Blood

He said Zakari was pronounced dead at the Royal Bolton Hospital at 6.55pm.

Mr Hall added: ‘The prosecution case is simply that the defendant, Mr Bennett-Eko, is guilty of manslaughter by reason of his responsibility being diminished by his mental illness.’

Zakari’s death led to an outpouring of sadness from friends and neighbours who left piles of flowers, cards and other tributes in Radcliffe town centre.

In a moving tribute last September, Zakari’s mum, Emma Blood, said: ‘On Wednesday afternoon my life changed forever.

‘I woke up that morning being a mummy to the most wonderful cute little boy and by the afternoon Zakari was taken from me in the most tragic of circumstances.

‘Zakari was my life for 11 months and will be the heart of our family for many years to come.

‘He was a cheeky little chappie with a smile that melted hearts. He was the youngest of 5 generations of our family and was loved beyond belief.

‘Zakari wrapped everyone around his little finger.

‘He was a happy and content baby with a gorgeous little smile and a head full of curls. Everyone that met him fell in love with him instantly.

‘It’s hard to comprehend what has happened and that I will not get to see my baby grow up to be the handsome decent man I knew he would become.

‘My family and I would like to thank everybody for their continued support, it is very much appreciated and would like to ask for privacy at his traumatic time.’