A stepfather has appeared in court accused of murdering his girlfriend’s five-month-old baby by violently shaking the infant “whilst angry and in temper.”
Thomas Morgan, 28, of Penyrheol Road, Gorseinon, is alleged to have killed Jensen-Lee Dougal in Clydach, Swansea Valley, in March 2024. He denies murder and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and is standing trial at Swansea Crown Court.
Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC told jurors that, at the time of Jensen-Lee’s death, Morgan was in a relationship with the child’s mother and was effectively the baby’s stepfather, entrusted with his care.
Ms Rees said the prosecution’s case is that on 30 March 2024, while alone with Jensen-Lee and “whilst angry and in temper,” Morgan shook the infant with such force that he sustained catastrophic brain injuries, multiple fractures, and extensive bleeding in both eyes.
The baby was rushed to hospital in Cardiff, but medics concluded his prospects were “dismal” and that nothing could be done to save him. Jensen-Lee died in his mother’s arms on 31 March after life-support measures were withdrawn.
The court heard that Morgan denies the allegations. He claims that on the day in question, Jensen-Lee had been happy and healthy. According to the defence, Morgan left the room to fetch a change of clothes for the baby, returning to find him “limp,” at which point he attempted CPR.
Ms Rees told the jury that the defendant also denies the grievous bodily harm charges, arguing that the baby had been in the care of other relatives at times.
Jurors were told that Morgan sought help from a neighbour before paramedics arrived. When emergency services attended, Jensen-Lee was “purple in colour,” and medics noted that the explanation he had choked did not align with his injuries.
In a police interview, Morgan admitted shaking the baby in an attempt to revive him after finding him unresponsive but denied causing the injuries. He told officers he could not call an ambulance immediately because the speaker on his phone was not working, which is why he had asked a neighbour for assistance, the court heard.
Ms Rees told the jury: “With his temper raised and his fuse short, his temper must have snapped. He shook Jensen-Lee with such violence that he caused the devastating injuries that led to Jensen-Lee dying in his mother’s arms.”
The trial, before Mrs Justice Stacey, is expected to last four weeks.
