Guilty father kills himself in London court*

By Gary Cleland
Last Updated: 2:22am BST 09/07/2007

A father took his life in the dock of a courtroom by apparently drinking
poison just moments after he was convicted of brutally assaulting his
baby daughter.

Ratnasabapathy Anandakumar pulled a Coca-Cola bottle out of his bag and
drank its contents before he could be stopped by security staff. He died
in hospital hours later.

Just before drinking the poison, the 40-year-old had been convicted at
Isleworth Crown Court in west London of attacking his daughter, who was
then just three months old. The assault left her quadriplegic, epileptic
and partially blind.
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Last night a Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Officers are preparing a
report for the coroner on a non-suspicious death that happened on June 28.

"A man was taken from Isleworth Crown Court to West Middlesex Hospital,
where he died."

Toxicology tests are being carried out to identify the poison. A
security review has also been ordered into the incident, focusing on the
role of the security officer who was sitting beside Anandakumar.

Defendants' clothes and belongings should be searched on entering a
court to ensure they are not carrying anything that could be used to
harm themselves or others.

Anandakumar's daughter was taken to hospital by her parents in October
2002, suffering from breathing difficulties. Doctors also found she had
four broken ribs, a fractured left arm and a fractured left leg.

Anandakumar, of Kingshill Avenue, west London, was seen twice at the
hospital pushing her skull.

He was tried two years ago, found guilty of causing her grievous bodily
harm with intent and sentenced to five years in jail. But he was granted
a re-trial after his lawyers argued that the jury should have heard
evidence about his mental condition.

His wife, Rajani, who split from him in 2005, was last night said to be
"very shocked".