Dad 'said he did nothing wrong' after murder arrest

The nature of Brendon's limb fractures were consistent with "excessive pulling", the court was told

A father accused of killing his premature baby told police he had "done nothing wrong" when he was arrested, jurors have heard.

Daniel Gunter, 27, is on trial for murder following the death of two-week-old Brendon Staddon, who suffered multiple fractures while in Yeovil District Hospital's special care baby unit on 4 March 2024.

Brendon's mother, Sophie Staddon, 21, is accused of causing or allowing her baby's death, after he was born at 33 weeks.

They both deny the charges. Jurors have retired to consider their verdicts.

Warning: This article contains details that some may find distressing, including details of severe injuries.

During his summing up at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, Mr Justice Swift said despite being born prematurely, Brendon was doing well and had already made the transition from nasal to bottle feeding.

But upon his death he was found to have, amongst other injuries, a broken neck, a broken jaw, broken legs, broken ankles and broken wrists.

The court heard that during his short life, nursing staff at the Somerset hospital had many concerns about his parents' behaviour, particularly Mr Gunter's repeated rough handling of him.

Mr Gunter was seen getting angry with Brendon while changing his nappy, jurors were told.

Brendon Staddon died from head injuries while in a neonatal unit (stock image)

The couple left the hospital on 29 February, eight days after Brendon was born, and did not return until the afternoon of 4 March, jurors heard.

At about 04:00 GMT the following day, Ms Staddon went to the nurses' station and asked staff to check Brendon because he was cold and floppy, the jury was told.

Mr Gunter said "he's fine, he's fine" even as nurses began the resuscitation process, jurors heard.

The court was told he then asked if the couple could "go out for air" while the team worked.

When he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, jurors were told Mr Gunter said to police: "What are you on about? I've done nothing wrong mate," and "I've done nothing wrong sir," when he was re-arrested for murder.

When Ms Staddon was cautioned, jurors were told she replied: "My baby's dead, you're telling me my baby's dead, I didn't kill my baby."