Father jailed for trying to kill his underage son

Helsinki District Court has sentenced a man to seven years and six months in prison for attempting to murder his underage son, Yle reports. He was also convicted of unlawful threat and defamation.

The incident happened in Pyhtää during last Midsummer. According to the prosecution, the man was spending time with his son and went to sleep in the back of a car with the child at a turning place.

The man opened two gas cylinders and either fell asleep or lost consciousness. He woke when he heard the child making noises and vomiting, then called emergency services.

According to the indictment, one cylinder contained argon and the other carbon dioxide. Exposure to argon can cause oxygen deprivation, which in severe cases can lead to unconsciousness and death. Carbon dioxide exposure can impair consciousness and breathing and can ultimately be fatal.

The man was charged with attempted murder in September. He denied that charge but admitted aggravated assault. He said he had also tried to kill himself with the gases.