Dr. H. Kassam

The offender was convicted of manslaughter for the starvation death of his 21-month-old daughter, who was in his sole care.

The offender absconded prior to the sentencing hearing, and the court proceeded in his absence pursuant to section 475(1)(b)(i) of the Criminal Code.

Finding that the prolonged and deliberate withholding of food and water constituted extreme child abuse by a parent in a position of trust, the court sentenced the offender to 15 years' imprisonment.

The Crown sought to call four expert witnesses in a trial for manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death of a 21-month-old child.

The defence challenged the admissibility of the experts based on their independence and impartiality.

The court admitted the evidence of the coroner, forensic pathologist, and neuropathologist, finding them independent.

However, the court excluded the evidence of the paediatric nutritionist, who testified he would never work for the defence and viewed defence experts as 'hired guns', demonstrating an inherent bias in favour of the Crown.