Child killer's sentence extended on appeal

A woman who killed her 13-month-old foster son by repeatedly hitting him and angrily shaking him now faces more than two years' jail time after the Crown appealed her previous sentence of home detention.

Sasha Pene was convicted for the manslaughter of her foster son Trent Matthews on June 5 2009 in Rotorua after she hit him hard on the head three or four times and angrily shook him because he was crying.

Pene was initially sentenced to one year of home detention and 100 hours' community work but following an appeal from the Solicitor-General, the Court of Appeal increased the sentence to two years and three months' imprisonment.

The appeal court justices concluded that the sentence imposed in the High Court "was manifestly inadequate" for the crime committed.

The court recognised that Pene had a difficult family situation but added that there could only be limited reductions for people "who kill children".

Pene must report to the Kaitaia police station no later than noon tomorow to start her sentence.

- NZPA