CRIMINOLOGIST Mark Williams-Thomas believes that, although rare, killings where a father takes the life of his own child are all about control.

He explained: “As far as male offenders go, it is very much to do with power and control.

“It’s a case of: ‘if I can’t have you, you can’t have the children.’

“Taking the youngster’s life is seen as one way of retaining that control over their partner.

“It is shocking to see these cases, but they are very rare. However, they do happen.”

But Mr Williams-Thomas, who worked closely with police on the Madeleine McCann and Sarah Payne cases, said domestic violence would not necessarily lead to this sort of crime.

“Just because the male is violent, it doesn’t mean to say that is an indication they will kill their own children.

“It is often not clear that this sort of behaviour will eventually take place.

“I have spoken to child killers, but not one who has murdered their own.

“But those who have will more than likely tell you that they never wanted to do their child any harm.

“They would probably say that the only option they had left was to kill their own child.

“Your children are the most important to you and this is the most terrible crime that can be committed against them.”