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Waikato Police are crediting the tenacity of their investigation team, the support of regional agencies and the community for the arrest of a man in relation to a nine-month-old homicide case.
Hamilton man Mathew Ellery, 21, was arrested on Sunday and appeared in the Hamilton District Court today on a charge of murder in relation to the death of six-month-old Serenity Jay Scott-Dinnington. He has been remanded in custody to reappear on February 10.
Serenity died in Starship Hospital in Auckland after being injured in her home in Ngaruawahia last April.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene of the Waikato CIB says "To get to the point where we have sufficient evidence to bring this matter before the courts highlights the hard work and long hours put in by an investigation team who always remained focused on doing what is right for a little girl, whose life ended so tragically."
"Today’s arrest is a testament to the Ngaruawahia community who very early on in the piece made it very clear they were not going to tolerate violence towards children and young folk on their back door step, and rallied behind police.
Mark says while the arrest was a major milestone for the investigation team there was still plenty of work to be done and Police would not be able to make any further comment today.
"I would just like to say at this point that this is a very good example of how serious Police view incidents of child abuse and would urge anyone with any knowledge of abuse going on to speak up.
"It’s a case of see something do something, and as a community we can make a difference. Look after your kids, love them and protect them. "
