Ashley McGregor jailed for manslaughter and criminal neglect of baby Alvin

This Adelaide dad has been jailed for killing his defenceless baby son – and it can now be revealed he has a shocking past of vile offences.

A monster father who killed his infant son has been jailed and it now can be revealed that he was previously convicted of horrific child sex offences.

Ashley John McGregor, 34, was jailed for close to two decades after a judge slammed his actions in allowing his defenceless son to suffer.

During sentencing on Wednesday, the District Court heard McGregor had been in a relationship with Rebecca Denton who gave birth to Alvin on April 4, 2021.

He was left to take care of Alvin on April 21, 2021, while Denton was out shopping.

The court heard Denton received a panicked call from McGregor that afternoon who told her he had accidentally knocked over the bassinet, which Alvin was in and he began crying hysterically.

Ashley John McGregor was jailed for 18 years. Photo: Facebook

Rebecca Denton was sentenced to home detention for her role in the criminal neglect of Alvin. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Judge Paul Muscat said McGregor inflicted the injuries on Alvin in the 10-minute window of opportunity between when he finished speaking with Denton about the bassinet incident and when she returned home.

“You became frustrated at not being able to settle Alvin’s cries, you lost control of your emotions and reacted inappropriately and instantly with devastating consequences for Alvin,” he said.

Judge Muscat said McGregor took hold of Alvin around the chest, deliberately squeezed him and either shook or threw him, possibly causing him to strike a hard surface.

The court heard Alvin was “left to suffer” for 40 hours before he was rushed to Noarlunga Hospital “completely unresponsive”.

A doctor gave evidence at the trial that there was a possibility that Alvin may have survived if he had been taken to a hospital immediately or soon after the injuries were inflicted.

Judge Muscat found McGregor guilty of manslaughter and criminal neglect, which he is appealing.

Denton – who pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal neglect over her role in not seeking medical attention for Alvin – was sentenced to more than four years’ jail last year, which she is serving on home detention.

Ashley McGregor was found guilty of the manslaughter death of baby Alvin. Picture: Supplied

In victim impact statements last month, Denton said the pain of losing Alvin was still as excruciating as ever and she would never forgive him.

“Because of you I will never be able to hold my baby again and will always have a broken heart,” she said.

Alvin’s big brother told the court he wakes up every morning with hate built up inside him towards McGregor.

“I’m so glad he’s locked up so he can’t do anything to any other kids like what he did to Alvin,” he said.

On Wednesday, a previous suppression order was lifted and it can now be published that McGregor was also jailed last year for multiple child sex offences, including producing child exploitation material and unlawful sexual intercourse.

Adding on to the previous sentence, McGregor was sentenced to 18 years’ jail, with a non-parole period of 13 years.

“A vulnerable child has lost his life because of what you did – you’ll now be known for killing your son,” Judge Muscat said.

The sentence was backdated to May 15, 2021.

Originally published as Ashley McGregor jailed for manslaughter and criminal neglect of baby Alvin