A father has been jailed for eight years after starving his baby to death.
Maxim Lyutyi, 44, who is a lifestyle blogger and raw food campaigner from Russia, pleaded guilty after his son, Kosmos, passed away before he was one month old.
A court in Sochi heard how Lyutyi caused 'intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm' to Kosmos after insisting he survive on sunlight, instead of milk.
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He was accused of taking the baby away from his mother, before 'dousing him with cold water to harden him', Mash news outlet reported.
It added: “The little body could not withstand the abuse: exhaustion developed and breathing problems appeared.
“But even in this condition, the child was not shown to doctors.”
The court heard how Lyutyi wanted to raise the newborn on prana-eating, which is where people essentially fast and 'feed on the Sun' instead.
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It's reported that Lyutyi initially wanted to pin the blame on the baby's mother Oxana Mironova, 34.
However, he changed his plea in a hearing last week, where he admitted his guilt.
Oxana’s mother, Galina, accused Lyutyi of running a 'sect'.
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“I was against my daughter being in this sect,” she said.
“I felt everything, and told her that Maxim was crazy, but she didn't listen to me.
“Oxana lived there like a guinea pig. Each time she became colder to me... She was his slave.”
Oxana’s cousin, Olesya Nikolayeva, added: “He forced her not to feed the baby.
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“Her boyfriend believed that the sun was feeding the baby.
“Oxana was secretly trying to breastfeed the baby, but she was very afraid of Maxim.
“How is it possible to feed the baby with sunlight?
“A baby needs his mother's milk.”
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Although medical help was eventually sought for Kosmos, he sadly passed away from 'pneumonia and emaciation'.
Lyutyi told the court he was guilty of 'negligence'.
“I admit my guilt,” he said.
“If I knew that my son was born prematurely, that his mother had contraindications for pregnancy, then at the first symptoms of the child’s illness I would immediately contact a hospital, regardless of the wishes and beliefs of the mother.
"Your Honour, distinguished court... This is purely a crime of negligence…without such intent.
“I emphasise once again that I loved my son, cared for him.”
Oxana has been sentenced to two years non-custodial correctional labour over the child’s death.
Meanwhile, Lyutyi will serve his eight-year sentence in a high security penal colony.
A court official said Lyutyi was also fined £860.
Topics: Crime, World News, News
Lucy Devine