Former Kenyan presidential candidate Quincy Timberlake has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the death of his three-year-old son, Sinclair, in Brisbane, Australia, in 2014.

Guilty Plea to Manslaughter

Quincy had initially faced a murder charge but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The prosecution withdrew the murder charge in the case.

Sentencing Amid Immigration Issues

During the sentencing, Quincy's defense team argued that he could either face deportation or detention due to his visa being denied by the Immigration department. They requested a more lenient sentence.

However, Supreme Court Justice Paul Freeburn rejected the plea, emphasizing the gravity of the matter. Quincy Timberlake was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Justice Freeburn noted that Quincy had already spent more than nine years in pre-trial custody, which would be subtracted from the 11-year sentence.

Night of Tragedy

Justice Freeburn recounted the events of the night when Sinclair died. Quincy and his former wife, former television personality Esther Timberlake, heard a thud at their Kallangur home. They rushed out of their bedroom to find their child at the bottom of the stairs.

Quincy, holding a Bible, reportedly said, "Devil is in the house," as his wife entered the shower. Arunga later heard thuds and discovered Quincy striking their son in the stomach.

Crown prosecutor Clayton Wallace explained Quincy's actions, stating that he believed he was trying to "slap the devil" out of his son.

Quincy told the emergency response team that arrived at the scene that his son had fallen down the stairs and he might have stepped on his back after the fall.

Legal History

Quincy had previously been arrested in Kenya on suspicion of being a member of an illegal sect but was later released due to dropped charges. He subsequently sought asylum in Australia after being denied an immigration VISA by the Australian immigration department.