Unanimous jury hears harrowing medical evidence during trial at Swansea Crown Court

A WEST WALES man has been found guilty of killing his five-month-old son after subjecting him to what medical experts described as violent shaking that caused catastrophic brain and eye injuries.

Thomas Morgan was convicted unanimously by a jury following a trial into the death of baby Jensen-Lee, who suffered fatal injuries at the family home on Saturday (Mar 30, 2024).

The court heard that after the injuries were inflicted, Morgan did not immediately call emergency services. Instead, he contacted his partner, despite later telling the court that his phone was not working properly.

Jurors were told this delay was significant when considering his actions in the crucial minutes after the baby became unresponsive.

Giving evidence on Thursday (Feb 6), Morgan told the court: “He was limp, I thought it was normal.”

Describing the moments after picking up his son, he said: “I scooped sick out of his mouth. I remember graphic bits, the same way I have nightmares, but I don’t remember what I did.”

Asked directly how hard he had shaken the child, Morgan replied: “I can’t remember how much force I used. I was in a total state of panic. I couldn’t describe it. I never intended to harm him.”

Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC challenged his account, suggesting the force used must have been extreme given the scale of the injuries later uncovered.

Medical specialists gave evidence that the baby’s injuries could not have been caused accidentally or by normal handling.

Dr Stavros, Head of Paediatric Neurology, told the jury there was no sign of an impact injury to the head but confirmed extensive internal damage consistent with violent shaking.

He said Jensen-Lee had acute subdural haemorrhages across multiple areas of the brain as well as bleeding along the spine.

The consultant described the findings as highly abnormal and severe.

In one stark moment, he told jurors that if someone were seen shaking a child with that level of force in public, “we would run over to stop it.”

A children’s eye specialist, Mr Abduls from a Birmingham teaching hospital, described what he called catastrophic eye trauma.

The retinal bleeding and tearing was so extensive that he said he could not tell which images belonged to the left or right eye, with photographs labelled simply “Eye A” and “Eye B”.

Jurors heard that such injuries are strongly associated with violent acceleration and deceleration forces.

Morgan was arrested ten days after the incident. When detained, he told officers: “I don’t know what injuries — he was my boy, I tried to help him.”

During closing speeches, the defence urged jurors to remain objective.

Counsel said: “We all have Jensen-Lee at the forefront of our minds. It’s difficult to think of a more emotive case than this. Consider this case with your heads, not your hearts.”

After deliberating, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

There were audible cries from the public gallery as the decision was delivered, where members of Jensen-Lee’s family had attended throughout the trial.

Morgan is due to be sentenced on Wednesday (Feb 25).

MEMBERS of Milford Haven Town Council joined residents and staff at Milford Haven Library on Tuesday morning for a community coffee event celebrating local support for the town’s library service.

The gathering was organised by the library to thank the Town Council and the wider community for their continued backing.

The Mayor, Cllr William Elliott, attended alongside Deputy Mayor Cllr Mark Woodward and fellow town councillors, meeting residents over tea and coffee and speaking with library staff about the role the service plays locally.

Councillors said the event provided a relaxed opportunity to engage directly with the public and hear how the library is supporting people of all ages, from families and young readers to older residents who use the space socially.

A spokesperson for the council said the morning was “a wonderful turnout” and a chance to strengthen ties between the council, library staff and the community.

They added: “It was great to talk with residents and see first-hand how valued the library is. Thank you to the team for their warm hospitality.”

Pembrokeshire’s libraries continue to host regular community activities, groups and events aimed at tackling isolation and providing welcoming public spaces across the county.

LAWYERS acting for the Welsh Government have defended a £205.2m subsidy for Cardiff Airport during a hearing before the Competition Appeal Tribunal, rejecting claims the support package is illegal or anti-competitive.

The ten-year funding deal, announced last year, is designed to expand routes, improve infrastructure and attract new airlines to Wales’ national airport.

But Bristol Airport has launched a legal challenge, arguing the subsidy distorts competition and gives Cardiff an unfair advantage.

During the hearing, government barrister George Peretz KC described the investment as “ambitious” and said it would deliver “much wider benefits to the Welsh economy”.

He told the tribunal the funding was not a rescue package for a struggling airport.

“This goes way beyond the survival, or not, of Cardiff Airport,” he said. “It is something much more ambitious.”

Route incentives defended

Around half of the £205.2m fund is earmarked for route development, aimed at encouraging airlines to open new services.

Bristol Airport claims these payments could unfairly entice carriers away from the South West of England.

But the Welsh Government said such incentives are standard practice across the aviation sector.

“If airports want to attract airlines, this is the game they have to get into,” the tribunal heard. “All airports offer front-loaded incentives on a commercial basis.”

Passenger cost disputed

Bristol Airport also argued that the package effectively equates to taxpayers contributing £71.50 per passenger.

However, Peretz said those calculations were misleading and failed to account for wider economic spending by passengers using Cardiff.

Ministers have already committed £20m in the current financial year, with the remaining funding to be phased over the next decade. Plans include new maintenance facilities, hangars and increased cargo capacity.

Decision pending

Bristol’s barrister, Ewan West KC, told the tribunal the subsidy should be declared unlawful but insisted the airport was “not seeking to drive Cardiff from the market”.

“Competition must be fair and lawful,” he said.

The tribunal, which sat for two days in Cardiff, is expected to reserve judgement until a later date.

If upheld, the decision could shape how far governments can go in supporting regional airports across the UK.