Father accused of killing son ‘prioritized playing PlayStation games over caring for the child,’ court hears

A father has been accused of killing his young son after he ‘prioritized playing PlayStation over caring for the child’, a court heard.

One-month-old Ollie was found with a broken neck and 37 broken bones suffered in the 10 days of suffering before his death on October 21, 2017, Leicester Crown Court heard today.

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His father Michael Davis, 29, appeared in court after denying charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, causing or permitting a child to suffer grievous bodily harm, and causing or permitting the death of a child and murder.

Ollie’s mother Kayleigh Driver, 31, also of Carlisle Street, West End, Leicester, is standing trial alongside him after denying the same allegations.

Prosecutor Jonas Hankin KC asked Davis on the witness stand if he was prepared for paternity after the jury was told the pregnancy was unplanned.

Davis told the court: “I wouldn’t say I wasn’t prepared, but it was not a planned pregnancy.”

Mr Hankin added: “Do you think you had realistic expectations about the amount of care and attention a young baby needs?”

To which Davis said he didn’t.

The court heard how Davis worked at Specsavers five days a week and looked after Ollie all night while Kayleigh slept.

The suspect also told the jury that he spent much of his time playing games such as Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto and Assassin’s Creed on his PlayStation 4.

He played these video games, as well as others on his mobile, and watched TV all night, the court heard.

Mr Hankin told Davis he “takes every opportunity” to play on his PlayStation, the jury heard.

Davis said, “I would continue if I could, but that doesn’t mean I prioritized it.”

Mr Hankin said: ‘You took the first opportunity when your baby was asleep and your girlfriend was asleep to get on your PlayStation.

“That’s your priority, isn’t it?”

Davis denied the accusation.

The prosecutor then asked if the father found it “frustrating” when his baby woke up all night, which Davis also denied.

The court heard from Mr Hankin that medical evidence suggested the child would have been in distress in the days leading up to his death due to “many broken bones”.

Medical evidence showed Ollie had 23 rib fractures and brain damage, allegedly inflicted ten days before his death in Upper Temple Walk, Beaumont Leys, Leicester.

“We know Ollie had suffered a lot of broken bones by then, so if you were feeding and changing him he would have been crying, right?” Mr. Hankin questioned the defendant.

Davis told jurors he only saw Ollie crying for food or when his diaper needed to be changed.

No one living at the address where Ollie was injured said they noticed any discomfort prior to his death.

The process continues.

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