Father cannot explain baby's injuries, court hears

Devaun lived with his parents in a flat on Blunham Road in Biggleswade, jurors heard

A 33-year-old man has told a murder trial that he does not know how his eight-month-old son suffered "widespread" injuries.

Jurors have heard how Devaun Rose-Turner, who lived with his parents in a flat in Blunham Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, died on 11 December 2021 after paramedics were told he had stopped breathing.

Devaun's mother, Shandies Rose, 29, and father, Emmanuel Turner, 33, both deny murder, causing or allowing the death of a child, and causing or allowing serious injury to a child.

On Monday at Luton Crown Court Mr Turner was asked to explain Devaun's "widespread" injuries and he told the trial: "I don't know."

Barrister Mark Heywood KC has told jurors how evidence shows that Devaun died after suffering "extensive, catastrophic injuries", including broken bones and a stomach rupture.

"He had widespread injuries to his little body," Mr Heywood told Mr Turner, who worked as a sub-contractor for HM Passport Office.

"What explanation have you got for those injuries?"

Mr Turner told jurors that he did not know and added: "I cannot imagine Shandies doing this."

Miss Rose previously worked as a children's nursery assistant

Shandies Rose and Emmanuel Turner are on trial at Luton Crown Court

Mr Turner had earlier told jurors how he fell down stairs while carrying Devaun a few hours before making a 999 call.

He added he had also attempted CPR after he woke to find that the little boy was not breathing.

Mr Turner told jurors that he had checked Devaun for "any cuts or any injury" after the fall, but found nothing.

He added he may have "unintentionally" been the cause of Devaun's death - as a result of falling and attempting CPR.

Mr Heywood asked Mr Turner why he had not mentioned the fall when calling 999 and speaking to paramedics and police.

"I don't recall mentioning it, I think because I was focused on Devaun," Mr Turner told jurors.

"I made a mistake by not mentioning it, and I understand that," he said.

Mr Heywood has told jurors that many of Devaun's injuries were inflicted in the hours before paramedics arrived and there were signs of others inflicted earlier.

No parent of a child of that age could have "failed to know" about the type of injuries Devaun suffered, he added.

Neighbours had heard noises in the night, he added, which included a "loud thud", an argument, Miss Rose screaming and a baby crying.

The trial continues.