A father who punched and bashed his three-month old daughter's head in a pattern of abuse that eventually led to her horrific death shook his head in disbelief on Wednesday.Eugene Plaatjies‚ 25‚ was reacting to a discussion about his behaviour inside the Cape Town High Court which heard how he spat in the face of the baby's grandfather when confronted about hitting her in the chest because she had cried.Plaatjies was convicted of child abuse and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm in April.Evidence was led on Wednesday ahead of him being sentenced. A social worker‚ who questioned Plaatjies after the murder‚ said that he had appeared to be non-violent and “respectful” but recommended that he be sent directly to prison for his actions. He would not‚ she said‚ admit to guilt which was a prerequisite for rehabilitation.Anthonique died at the Red Cross Children’s hospital in Cape Town shortly after being admitted for treatment in June 2014.A pathologist‚ in earlier evidence given to court‚ described multiple fractures‚ bruises and head injuries sustained by the baby. Her liver had also been damaged.The court heard that the baby‚ and her mother Louise Alkaster‚ 30‚ had suffered at the hands of Plaatjies. But Alkaster was too afraid to report him to the authorities.Friends‚ neighbours‚ and family members said that Alkaster was regularly physically abused by Plaatjies‚ even before the birth of Anthonique.In mitigation of sentence‚ the defence called Plaatjies' uncle‚ Piet Cupido."I heard about the charges with regards to the baby and I was broken because no parent would raise their child that way and no parent wants to hear that about their child‚” he told the court."He was a joker and everyone listened to what he said. He was an impersonator and he could speak like Mandela and De Klerk‚" he said.Plaatjies had stayed with Cupido for three years.Cupido pleaded with the court for mercy‚ saying: “He has never been in trouble before. Therefore I request mitigation on his and on behalf of his family."The hearing continues...