Parents appear at court accused of smothering nine-week-old son after an alcohol-fuelled argument

A couple are accused of murdering their nine-week-old son after an alcohol-fueled argument about not having sex because of the newborn.  

Luke Morgan, 26, and Emma Cole, 22, are on trial for smothering baby Tyler Morgan in the early hours of April 29, 2014 at their two-bedroom flat in Burntwood, Staffordshire. 

He was intentionally smothered or had his chest depressed, a court heard, and also had fractured ribs.

Jurors at Stafford Crown Court were told how neighbours heard the couple arguing on the night leading up to the baby’s death about being short of money.

They also said Morgan was angry because he wanted to have sex with Cole but had been prevented from doing so because Tyler was still awake.

Paramedics were called to the couple’s home at 2.42am and found the child unresponsive.

Tyler was rushed to Walsall Manor Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after 4am.

On Tuesday, the couple went on trial accused or murder, manslaughter, allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a child under 16-years-old.

Opening the case Andrew Smith QC, prosecuting, said: ‘At 2.42am, on April 29, 2014 Emma Cole dialled 999 to summon an ambulance to her home address.

‘Nine-week-old Tyler had collapsed before the call had been made.

‘Tyler’s collapse had been caused by him being intentionally smothered or by his chest being depressed.

‘He was taken to hospital and died just after 4am. He had sustained other injuries including fractured ribs.

Neighbours claimed the couple had a boozy night out where they argued about not having enough sex because of their newborn

‘The prosecution contends this was caused it was deliberate, unlawful actions which caused the death and they are responsible for his murder.’

A jury of eight men and six women heard how Morgan would sometimes make his son play air drums and had struck him on the back at least one occasion.

Mr Smith added: ‘Tyler was born on February 27, 2014, by caesarean section. He was born well.

‘Luke Morgan is now 26, he was 22 at the time. Emma Cole is 22 and was 18 at the time.

‘They had been together for about two years and appeared to have a close relationship.

‘Tyler had an unremarkable history, he had suffered from a little colic but that was under control.

‘There was suggestions that the defendant’s attitude was not always shown to medical professionals.

On Tuesday, the couple went on trial accused or murder, manslaughter, allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a child under 16-years-old

‘Emma Cole had said they had bathed Tyler cool water to keep him awake as warm water made him sleepy.

‘Their preferred pattern was for Tyler to fall asleep at times that were convenient to them.

‘Luke had put lemon juice on Tyler’s tongue, it may have been some chilli crisps though.

‘There was also an instance where Luke would play air drums with Tyler’s arms, something Luke knew that Tyler was to young to do and he appeared to have hit him on his back too hard on one occasion.

‘The relationship may have had some tensions that did not show to the outside. ‘

The court was told how on the night a neighbour had heard an argument between the defendants while Tyler was crying.

Mr Price said: ‘Luke Morgan was angry because he wanted to have sex with Miss Cole and had been prevented by Tyler being up.

‘On the night of April 28, a neighbour went to bed at 10.30pm and she could hear them having an argument about having no money Emma was sobbing.

‘In the early hours of April 29 there was a high pitch screech from Miss Cole.

‘Barry and Helen Wood at the flat above heard arguing in the hours before Tyler collapsed, they thought it may have been taking place in the kitchen.

‘Mrs Wood said they were shouting at each other at 1am.

‘The prosecution say they were having the arguments at a time when they were drinking alcohol.

‘The 999 call was made at 2.42am and the first person to speak to the operator was Emma Cole.

‘She said Tyler was not breathing. Paramedics were immediately dispatched.

‘They were given instructions to perform CPR.

‘At 2.51am the first of the ambulance crew were met by Luke, he was crying and upset but showed the crew into the property.

‘Tyler was lying with his back on the floor. Emma Cole was trying to do chest compressions. She was plainly very upset.

‘When the paramedics were began to assess Tyler in the bedroom he was showing no signs of life and was in cardiac arrest.

‘He showed on response.

‘As paramedics treated Tyler the defendants argued. He was saying ”I was trying to wake you up”, she said ”I did not know I was asleep”.

‘The paramedics tried to find out how long he had been unresponsive. Mr Morgan provided no answers.

‘It was at 1.45am that Tyler had been unresponsive and Luke Morgan could not wake him.

‘Mr Morgan had repeatedly said ”this is a cot death isn’t it”. Miss Cole kept telling him to ”shut up”.

‘Tyler was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital and admitted to A&E at 3.40am. Tyler had no heart rate and was not making any breathing effort.

‘He died at 4.03am, he was nine weeks old. It was said [Luke] did not call 999 because he had a stammer.

‘During April 29 police officers went to the address and saw two empty wine bottles and nine empty cans of lager.’

The trial will resume today.