Boy’s mum denies delivering fatal blow
TYRELL Cobb’s mother has refused to take the blame for the blow that killed the fouryear-old, just weeks after her ex-partner also denied responsibility and walked free from court grinning.
Heidi Strbak yesterday pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court to manslaughter over little Tyrell’s death but at a hearing next week will dispute the allegation she struck the fatal blow.
Her ex-partner Matthew Scown also denies fatally assaulting Tyrell and sparked controversy when he left court grinning last month on a fouryear suspended sentence after pleading guilty to manslaughter for not providing medical care.
The court was told yesterday that Strbak, 34, would contest the allegation she was the “author of the blunt-force trauma” that killed Tyrell at her Gold Coast home in 2009 and will also argue criminal negligence.
Tyrell’s body suffered 53 bruises and 17 abrasions, but police have alleged severe blunt-force trauma to his stomach caused his death.
Strbak sobbed in the dock before emerging from court with her bail enlarged and surrounded by family.
It was in stark contrast to her former partner Scown, who laughed as he left court.