Francis Bastien, whose girlfriend killed his young son Jeremy, was sentenced to prison Tuesday.
Bastien, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 50 months behind bars for assault and criminal negligence for his role in his son's death in December 2008.
Bastien was not present when his girlfriend Stephanie Meunier killed young Jeremy and he initially originally avoided prosecution but it became obvious he had a role to play in the last few months leading to the boy's death.
Bastien duplicated his girlfriend's habits by hitting his young son with a wooden spoon and a strap, usually upon her orders.
The child’s mother Julie Perron was in court for the sentencing.
“I hope it’s not in vain, maybe it’ll save in a life, if the neighbours didn’t ignore the disturbances…. there are so many things that could have happened to save Jeremy but they didn’t happen, ” she told CTV Montreal Tuesday.
Perron did not have any kind words to the father of her deceased son Jeremy. “I let him take my child. I know it’s not easy to care for a child but he didn’t do it.”
Justice Legault put blame squarely on Bastien. "That child was entitled to his father's love and protection. (...) Instead, he chose to sacrifice his child for the love of his girlfriend. He became an unworthy father, mean-spirited and violent."
Bastien's defence attorney was satisfied with the sentence.
“The worst sentence is not the one the judge gave today. The worst sentence is the one he will have to live with the fact that he has part of the responsibility in the death of his child,” said Charles Montpetit.
“The message is clear, the protection of children comes before all. Mr. Bastien is a person who was likely ill-equipped to become a parent but he was able to understand what could happen,” said Montpetit.
