'Punched her in the belly': Pictures from inside room where girl died
A Brisbane father has admitted to the manslaughter of his three-year-old daughter, bashed her and locked her in a room, and was more interested in coffee and cigarettes than saving her life, a court has heard.
Matthew Lee Williamson is being sentenced in the Brisbane Supreme Court over the death of Kyhesha-Lee Joughin, who died in March 2013 after suffering protracted physical and sexual abuse and was locked in her room with a rope lashed to the door.
The court heard detailed evidence from Williamson's former housemate, Christopher Kent, who previously spent 19 months in jail after also pleading guilty to Khyesha's manslaughter.
Kent recounted how he tried to revive Khyesha after noticing her lips were turning blue and tried to wake Williamson as he slept on a nearby couch to help.
A Brisbane court heard horrific details about the final months of Kyhesha-Lee Joughin's life. Source: Supplied
The apartment Queensland man Matthew Lee Williamson lived in with his daughter, toddler Kyhesha-Lee Joughin. Source: AAP
"He didn't give a s**t," Kent said. "He just wanted his coffee and smoke."
During several hours of evidence, Kent said he had never physically or sexually assaulted Kyesha and blamed Williamson for the girl's death.
Williamson's defence team has argued Kent inflicted the fatal injuries.
Little Kyhesha-Lee Joughin. Picture: 7 News
Evidence presented to the Magistrates Court in Brisbane. Source: AAP
A rope to keep Kyhesha-Lee locked in her room while her father slept all day. Source: AAP
During a triple-0 call on the afternoon of March 30, 2013, Williamson said he awoke to find his daughter not breathing and stiff as if she had rigor mortis.
Kyhesha died from an infected internal injury.
At the time of her death she had bruising on her face, lacerations on her ear, an injury to her temple and cuts to her lip, and had suffered a stomach injury consistent with a blow from a fist or foot or an adult falling on her.
Matthew Lee Williamson (centre) walks from the Magistrates Court in Brisbane.
The rope used to keep the girl in her room. Source: AAP
The rope was lashed to the door. Source: AAP
Williamson said Kyhesha had been injured when Kent slipped and fell on her three days earlier.
Kent told the court he had tripped and accidentally hit the child with his knee.
He said he witnessed regular physical abuse of the three-year-old while living with the father and daughter at a Petrie unit.
The flat where father and daughter lived.
The images were shown to the court in Brisbane,
In the weeks before her death, Williamson punched her in the belly and would hold her arm and smack her, Kent said.
"It was like two adults fighting," he said.
He said Williamson, who generally slept through the day, would lock his daughter in her bedroom for hours on end and would become enraged when she then ended up throwing her faeces inside the room.
The court heard how the beating was 'like two adults fighting'.
Supporters of Matthew Lee Williamson leave the Brisbane Supreme Court. Source: AAP
When detectives searched the house following Kyhesha's death, they noted a strong smell of urine.
The hearing continues before Justice Roslyn Atkinson.
If you or someone you know is suffering from sexual or domestic abuse, don't suffer in silence, call 1800 RESPECT any time of day or night.
Adults Surviving Child Abuse: 1300 657 380
Survivors and Mates Support Network: 02 8355 3711
Bravehearts: 1800 272 831
