Matthew Ellery Denied Parole After Over 13 Years in Prison for Killing His Girlfriend's Baby

Matthew Ellery, a man who has spent more than 13 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend’s 6-month-old daughter, Serenity Scott-Dinnington, has been denied parole by the New Zealand Parole Board. Ellery, who was sentenced to life in prison for the brutal killing, described the incident as a moment of shock and fear, but his account of the events has raised significant concerns among the board members.

During the parole hearing, Ellery admitted to throwing the infant headfirst onto the floor and smothering her with a nappy. However, he initially attempted to shift the blame onto his girlfriend’s brother, claiming he was the one responsible for the assault. He later retracted this claim, stating that he was overwhelmed by the constant crying of the child and was consumed by frustration and anger.

Ellery, who became part of the family in early 2011, described the incident as an act of desperation. He said he was scared of being incarcerated for the rest of his life and was experiencing a moment of panic. Despite his attempts to justify his actions, the Parole Board found his account inconsistent and lacking in remorse.

Since 2019, Ellery has not had any major misconduct in prison, except for a single incident in which he falsely accused another inmate of sexual assault. He explained that he was afraid of the man and that a personality test conducted in prison indicated a tendency to distort reality to maintain a positive self-image. Ellery has since claimed to have learned to control his frustration and has stopped using drugs and alcohol.

Currently, Ellery is working on a dairy farm within the prison and has expressed a desire to continue working in the same industry if released. However, the Parole Board denied his application for release, citing the lack of secured accommodation outside of prison. Ellery will be reviewed again in August 2025.

While Ellery has made some efforts to rehabilitate himself, the Parole Board emphasized that the severity of the crime and the lack of a stable release plan were critical factors in their decision. The board stated that the safety of the public and the victim’s family must remain a top priority in any consideration of parole.

As the case continues to unfold, the community and legal experts alike are watching closely to see whether Ellery will be granted another opportunity for release in the future.