COVENTRY: A Malaysian student who murdered her baby by stuffing the newborn in a cereal box and hidden in a suitcase has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
The student, Teo Jia Xin, 22, is eligible for parole but must serve a minimum of 17 years in jail.
According to court documents, Warwick Crown Court Judge Justice Tipples said the Parole Board would decide after 17 years if Teo could leave custody.
"If you are refused parole at that time you will remain in custody, subject to regular reviews by the Parole Board.
"If and when you are released you will be on licence for the rest of your life. If you break the terms of your licence you will be liable to return to custody."
Yesterday, it was reported that Teo had been convicted of murder after pleading guilty to placing her newborn in a cereal box before hiding the baby in a suitcase.
Prosecutors said that the baby was alive after birth on March 3, and that Teo was aware the child would die once placed in the box.
Teo had not informed anyone of her pregnancy, which was only discovered after she gave birth.
Teo reportedly concealed her pregnancy out of fear that her family and friends in Malaysia would find out, which she believed could affect her studies.
In sentencing, Tipples said Teo, who was impregnated by her boyfriend of three years, must have known she was pregnant for some months.
"You gave no consideration to terminating the pregnancy or offering the baby for adoption.
"You did not seek any ante-natal support in relation to your pregnancy and did not seek any other medical advice.
"You had not made any preparations at all for the arrival of a baby into your life."
Tipples said that murder was the "most serious criminal offence".
"There is only one sentence I can pass and it is life imprisonment."