Paul Booth murder: Accused claims shaking was playful

David Dearlove denies killing his stepson Paul Booth

A man accused of murdering his baby stepson 49 years ago admitted shaking the boy but said it was "playful".

David Dearlove, 71, told Teesside Crown Court 19-month-old Paul Booth hit his head on a pillow.

Jurors have heard from Paul's brother Peter, who said he saw Mr Dearlove smack Paul's head on a fireplace at their home in Stockton in October 1968.

Mr Dearlove, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, denies murder and child cruelty.

Giving evidence in his defence, he said he had never intentionally harmed Paul or deliberately been cruel to the boys or their sister.

Mr Dearlove said he was 21 at the time and had been living with the late Carol Booth and her children at Haverton Hill for about three months.

'He liked it'

On the night Paul died, he said he had washed him before putting him in bed.

According to police interviews from 1968, Mr Dearlove said he "gave him a shaking" but Paul "only hit his head on the pillow and I don't think that would have hurt".

Mr Dearlove told jurors: "It was something I did all the time, if I was putting him in bed I would give him a little shake and throw him on the pillow.

"He liked it."

Mr Dearlove said he held Paul under the arms to do it and shook him for "just a few seconds".

The family was living in Stockton at the time of Paul Booth's death

Later, he heard Paul scream and found the boy semi-conscious on the floor having fallen out of bed, Mr Dearlove said.

Paul later died in hospital.

Mr Dearlove also said he would "smack [Paul] on the bum" as part of a game.

Ms Booth went on to have a child with Mr Dearlove but the couple broke up two years after Paul's death.

The trial continues.