An on-the-run crook who was high on drink and drugs when he decided to bathe his girlfriend’s toddler son in almost boiling water and then refused to call police in case he was arrested has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.
The horrific crime was described by Judge Johann Lohmann as among the worst examples of suffering that the human body can endure.
The horrific act happened in Wedel, in the district of Pinneberg in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in July 2024 and the verdict was delivered by the Itzehoe regional court on Friday, 5th September.
Sabrina Modest, aged 34, and Joey, aged 2, from Wedel, Schleswig-Holstein State, Germany, pose in undated photo. The toddler died after being doused with hot water and suffered severe injuries. Note: Private photo from social media. (Sabrina Modest/NF/newsX)
The court heard that the killing that involved "cruelty almost without precedent" happened after accused Tim S., 31, had been drinking alcohol mixed with soft drinks and smoking cannabis while he was supposed to look after the two-year-old child, named Joey.
He decided to bathe the youngster, but when the boy resisted, he carried him into the bathtub and turned on the water anyway that reached around 50 degrees Celsius.
The boy cried and resisted but Tim S. forced him further into the water.
When his skin became bright-red he finally lifted him out and called the mother.
Joey, aged 2, from Wedel, Schleswig-Holstein State, Germany, poses in undated photo. The toddler died after being doused with hot water and suffered severe injuries. Note: Private photo from social media. (Sabrina Modest/NF/newsX)
The court was told that Tim S. did not immediately call for medical help because he was wanted on an arrest warrant for a previous violent robbery and feared being taken into custody.
The child had suffered second and third-degree burns to 56 per cent of his body.
Joey was taken to hospital where he survived for 41 days before dying from the consequences of the burns.
Judge Johann Lohmann told the court that the ordeal was an "unprecedented torture" and said: "The pain was among the worst that the human body can endure."
The judge also noted that the boy had already started to call the man "Dad" despite the fact that he had only been living with the family for a few months.
Joey, aged 2, from Wedel, Schleswig-Holstein State, Germany, poses in undated photo. The toddler died after being doused with hot water and suffered severe injuries. Note: Private photo from social media. (Sabrina Modest/NF/newsX)
A forensic expert in the trial described the suffering as "absolute annihilation pain".
The court ruled that Tim S. had not intended to kill the child but had accepted the severe suffering he caused.
He was convicted of bodily harm resulting in death and mistreatment of a person under protection.
The prosecution had demanded a murder conviction which the court rejected.
In addition to the prison term, Tim S. was ordered to pay EUR 25,000 (GBP 21,600) in damages to the boy’s mother.
Before the trial the mother, Sabrina Modest, said: "My laughter, my whole happiness has been taken from me. Only my empty shell is left here."
On Facebook she later wrote about her son: "My sun, my miracle, you will remain unforgettable. Mama loves you infinitely and you will always be in my heart."
The sentence is not yet legally binding.
(Mike Leidig / newsX)