Grandson murder accused says toddler's mum hit him

Two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths died from a severe head injury in August 2021

A woman accused of murdering her two-year-old grandson said she saw her daughter smack him several times, a court has heard.

Ethan Ives-Griffiths died from a severe head injury after collapsing at his grandparents' home in Garden City, Flintshire, in 2021.

Michael Ives, 47, and Kerry Ives, 46, both deny his murder and they, along with with their daughter Shannon Ives, 28, from Mold, deny causing or allowing his death and child cruelty.

Speaking at Mold Crown Court, Mrs Ives said she told her daughter not to hit Ethan, but her daughter replied: "They're my kids, mind your business."

Mrs Ives denied that either she or her husband hit Ethan, but said her daughter "used to smack his hand and smack his bum," and she had seen her "hit him up the back of the head".

"If he'd laugh at her, she'd lose her temper," she said.

She described Ethan as a "chubby and "bubbly little child" who acted differently when his mum was around, "biting his lip" until it bled or shoving food into his mouth until he choked.

On the night Ethan collapsed, Mrs Ives the colour had drained from his face and she called for Shannon, who was upstairs, and phoned one of her daughters for advice.

It was 18 minutes between Ethan's collapse and Mrs Ives calling an ambulance.

Under cross-examination Mrs Ives accepted the way her husband carried Ethan, by his arm, in CCTV footage from August 4 2021, was "cruel".

When asked why she had earlier told the jury she had never seen Mr Ives carrying Ethan in that way, she said: "Because I was just staring... that's what I do."

She disagreed that Mr Ives was "hard" on Ethan and said he would walk away from arguments if he needed to.

Ethan's mother, Shannon Ives, is accused of causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty

She described Mr Ives, who was also her carer, as being a father who loved his children and grandchildren and was affectionate.

She added that Ethan was in the terrible twos phase and would "play up if didn't get own way" and would "scream and throw himself back".

She admitted Mr Ives was not mentally well and she was also unwell, living with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.

Getting emotional, Mrs Ives agreed that Mr Ives and Ethan were close and he would wash the toddler every other day, but denied ever seeing bruises on Ethan.

Mrs Ives agreed that the 40 marks to Ethan's face and body, discovered after he was admitted to hospital, were "a lot" and had been "a big surprise".

Mrs Ives agreed that, despite previously telling police she and Mr Ives had been like Ethan's parents, they had not kept him safe and had not taken action when he became "skin and bones".

She also agreed that both she, Mr Ives and Shannon had neglected Ethan.

The trail continues.