Jie William Smith sentenced to more than four years behind bars for manslaughter of baby

A man convicted of the manslaughter death of a six-month-old boy has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. Jie William Smith appeared in Newcastle Supreme Court as Justice Helen Wilson delivered the sentence.He received a non-parole period of three years and six months.A two-week trial in July heard the child was in the sole custody of Smith when the infant went into cardiac arrest at a New Lambton home in February 2019.The baby died from a traumatic brain injury.The court heard Smith had been in a relationship with the baby's mother at the time.Defence barrister Paul Rosser KC told the trial while his client did drop the baby, the boy's injuries were inflicted by the mother hours earlier.That was disputed by prosecutor Neil Adams SC.The court heard Smith told police he dropped the baby when it was unsettled and feeding.With time already served, Smith will be eligible for release in February next year. Newcastle newsletter: Local news in your inboxABC Newcastle will deliver a wrap of the week's news, stories and photos every Wednesday. Sign up here.