Court outburst as mum of Tyrell Cobb to be released from jail after new manslaughter sentence

Relatives of a four-year-old boy who died of horrific injuries have shouted in court upon learning his mother, convicted of manslaughter, will be released.

Family members of slain four-year-old Tyrell Cobb have erupted in court upon learning the boy’s mother – who was jailed for his manslaughter – will be released from prison.

Gold Coast mum Heidi Strbak was resentenced in Brisbane Supreme Court over the four-year-old’s death in 2009, with the court finding she failed to seek timely medical care to treat the boy’s lethal abdominal injuries.

Heidi Strbak (centre) leaving the Supreme Court following her resentencing for the manslaughter of her son, Tyrell Cobb. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Josh Woning.

Earlier this year, the High Court ordered she be resentenced after she successfully appealed her nine year jail term.

On Friday, Justice David Boddice resentenced her to five years’ jail, making a finding that while it could not be determined who dealt the fatal blow to Tyrell, she was still responsible in failing to seek medical attention.

With time already served behind bars, her sentence was suspended for an operational period of five years.

A member of the public gallery shouted it was “f***ing pathetic” while Tyrell’s biological father, Jason Cobb, shook his head.

The court was told Tyrell died from blunt-force injuries sustained to his abdomen in the Gold Coast in 2009, which caused the leaking of his intestines.

Tyrell Cobb (pictured) died from blunt force injuries to his abdomen. His mother, Heidi Strbak, denied inflicting the fatal blow.

An autopsy of his body revealed multiple injuries, including multiple bruises to his head, ears, arms, groin, legs and stomach as well as a scar to his ankle that crown prosecutor Philip McCarthy said was consistent with a lighter burn.

Strbak and her then de facto partner, Matthew Scown, both pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis they failed to seek timely medical attention for the boy.

Matthew Scown, Tyrell’s stepfather, was jailed for four years for the boy’s manslaughter but the sentence was immediately suspended due to time served in custody. He was later brought back to jail for committing multiple offences, including fraud and drug driving.

Both denied inflicting the fatal injuries.

On Friday, Justice David Boddice said the crown had failed to prove Strbak had inflicted the fatal injuries on Tyrell.

Her new sentence was imposed on the grounds she unlawfully killed her child by failing to get the timely medical attention.

Family and supporters escorted Strbak to a waiting car after she walked through the Supreme Court doors. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Josh Woning.

Justice Boddice said Strbak had failed Tyrell dismally, who relied and depended upon her to protect him.

During the volatile proceedings, Tyrell’s biological father took the stand and blasted Strbak as a “lying f***ing bitch” while lashing out at the judge and barristers.

Jason Cobb, Tyrell’s biological father, gave evidence at Strbak’s resentencing during combative exchanges with legal practitioners. Pic Annette Dew

Scown, who was Tyrell’s stepfather, was accused of lying to police during an explosive cross-examination.