By Sam Sherwood, of RNZ
7:51am

A mother and her then partner, who were jailed for neglecting a four-year-old boy who died after suffering "non-accidental" head and bowel injuries, were initially arrested on suspicion of murder, it can be revealed.

However, after continuing to deny their involvement they were jointly charged with manslaughter. The pair would later plead guilty to reduced charges of neglect.

Ashton Cresswell died in April 2017. RNZ earlier reported that the cause of
his death was deemed to be "non-accidental" head and bowel injuries.

A post-mortem found 65 bruises across his small body.

Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale found the fatal injuries suffered by Ashton were likely inflicted by Ashton's mother's partner Peter Otuszewski, either
through misadventure during rough play, or through a more deliberate act of violence.

In an exclusive interview with RNZ, Otuszewski denied being responsible for Ashton's death.

"It is horrific what happened to him. It is unfair what happened to him. But
I didn't cause him to die."

RNZ has obtained several statements connected to Ashton's death under the Official Information Act.

Among them is a statement from the officer in charge of the investigation Detective Sergeant Rochelle Ross.

Ross said that after the cause of Ashton's death was established, the investigation moved into a "suspect interview phase".

Both Ashton's mother Alesha Cresswell and Otuszewski were interviewed in the hours after Ashton's death.

Ross said the pair provided accounts which were "not consistent with the fact that Ashton had been deceased for some time prior to the emergency services arriving".

He said there was no ongoing investigation.

Near the bottom of Coroner Borrowdale's report, she says Ashton Cresswell was not a name "well-known to New Zealanders".

"No-one was convicted of causing the non-accidental injuries that led to his death. No government or support agency was involved in the protection of
Ashton and his siblings from child abuse.

"Ashton was not attending any pre-school when he died. No-one who had contact with Ashton, his mother, or her short-term partner foresaw that Ashton's life was at risk. no-one saw what was coming."

Borrowdale made damning remarks about the couple's attempted explanations of Ashton's injuries.

"Ashton was 'careless' and 'clumsy' because he was tiny, vulnerable, and had developmental delays.

"These characteristics ought to have led to Ashton being treated with kid gloves, receiving even more protection and care than an ordinarily robust four-year-old. It was grotesquely self-serving of his parent and caregiver,
who I find were responsible for his death and its concealment, to have
excused their violence and neglect by reference to Ashton's frailties."

She concluded by saying Ashton's death was a "tragedy".

"It is shameful that Ashton died violently and prematurely, in his home and
due to the actions - and inactions - of the people who were entrusted with
his care and safety. I offer my sincere condolences to those who knew and
loved Ashton."

rnz.co.nz

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