Mother's partner told police he did not kill baby

Paramedics were called to Bromley Gardens in February 2024

A 33-year-old man accused of shaking and murdering his new partner's baby told police he was "innocent", a trial has heard.

Prosecutors say Kieran Humphreys appeared to have killed six-month-old Archie Woodbridge in February 2024 after losing his temper.

But jurors at Luton Crown Court heard he told detectives: "I ain't killed no-one. I ain't hurt no-one."

The defendant, of Bromley Gardens in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, denies murder, manslaughter and child cruelty.

Warning: This story contains distressing details

Barrister Charlotte Newell KC, who leads the prosecution team, has told jurors that Archie's mother, Saskia Woodbridge - who was then 19 - had left her son alone with Mr Humphreys while she went to a nail salon.

Evidence showed Archie was "gripped and shaken" and suffered a fatal brain injury while in Mr Humphreys' "sole care", she has said.

On Wednesday, Miss Newell said the defendant told police after being arrested that he "tried to save" the little boy.

'Wouldn't hurt child'

Mr Humphreys told officers Archie "gasped" while sleeping and struggled to breathe, jurors heard.

He said the boy's arms had gone "all floppy" and he "panicked".

"I ain't done anything wrong," Mr Humphreys told police, adding that he was "innocent".

"I wouldn't ever hurt a child."

Mr Humphreys told police "I love that kid like my own", and continued: "He wasn't dropped or squeezed or whatever you are trying to say... he wasn't injured in my arms. It wasn't me. All I did was try to save that poor boy."

He said he was "sorry for everything that has happened" but told officers: "I ain't being done for it."

Miss Newell has told jurors the victim was injured while Mr Humphreys was alone with him at a friend's home in Dolphin Drive in Houghton Regis on 9 February 2024.

It was once Archie was at another property in Bromley Gardens - a home of one of Mr Humphrey's family members - that 999 was called.

Archie was declared dead in hospital later that day.

Miss Woodbridge, now 20, has told police that Mr Humphreys and others "made her lie about what happened and when".

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