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'Drunk' man denies baby neglect 'Drunk' man denies baby neglect
(about 2 hours later)
A man entrusted with the care of a month-old baby became so drunk he failed to notice the child had died, a trial has heard.A man entrusted with the care of a month-old baby became so drunk he failed to notice the child had died, a trial has heard.
Paul Henry Thomas, 30, allegedly drank a litre bottle of vodka while with his partner's son, Warren Thomas in Fforestfach, Swansea.Paul Henry Thomas, 30, allegedly drank a litre bottle of vodka while with his partner's son, Warren Thomas in Fforestfach, Swansea.
Mr Thomas denies a charge of causing cruelty to a child by neglect.Mr Thomas denies a charge of causing cruelty to a child by neglect.
Previous tests by a pathologist could not determine the baby's cause of death, Swansea Crown Court was told.Previous tests by a pathologist could not determine the baby's cause of death, Swansea Crown Court was told.
Prosecutor Chris Clee told the jury how Warren's mother, Laura Owen, found Mr Thomas asleep on a settee with a blanket over him.Prosecutor Chris Clee told the jury how Warren's mother, Laura Owen, found Mr Thomas asleep on a settee with a blanket over him.
"She pulled back the blanket expecting to see Warren. As she did so she felt something cold and looked down to her feet. It was Warren, lying face down. Sadly, he was dead," said Mr Clee."She pulled back the blanket expecting to see Warren. As she did so she felt something cold and looked down to her feet. It was Warren, lying face down. Sadly, he was dead," said Mr Clee.
'Incapable''Incapable'
The court heard that despite "very extensive" tests by a Home Office pathologist it had proved impossible to determine the cause of death, apart from ruling out trauma or illness.The court heard that despite "very extensive" tests by a Home Office pathologist it had proved impossible to determine the cause of death, apart from ruling out trauma or illness.
The trial was told that it was not entirely clear who the baby's father was.
Mr Clee added that Warren's death could have been a case of sudden infant death syndrome and, consequently, Mr Thomas was not on trial accused of causing his death.Mr Clee added that Warren's death could have been a case of sudden infant death syndrome and, consequently, Mr Thomas was not on trial accused of causing his death.
However, it was claimed, Mr Thomas had been so drunk "he had rendered himself incapable of caring for that child.However, it was claimed, Mr Thomas had been so drunk "he had rendered himself incapable of caring for that child.
"He had covered himself with a blanket without realising he had the baby with him. And at some point Warren had fallen to the floor without him realising," added Mr Clee."He had covered himself with a blanket without realising he had the baby with him. And at some point Warren had fallen to the floor without him realising," added Mr Clee.
Mr Clee said Ms Owen discovered her son on the morning of 4 January at their home in Fforestfach, Swansea. Ms Owen moved in to Mr Thomas' flat in the city's Fforestfach area after the baby was born in December 2007, the court heard.
He also took in another child Ms Owen had in a previous relationship and gave Warren his surname despite doubts over his paternity.
Tests
Mr Clee said Ms Owen discovered her son on the morning of 4 January at their home.
The evening before she had gone to bed with both children early but Mr Thomas had volunteered to care for Warren so she could sleep on uninterrupted.
The court heard how she had got up at 0300 to find Thomas bottle-feeding the baby and insisting that she "go back to bed."
Four hours later she discovered Warren dead and phoned the emergency services.
The court heard it had been almost impossible to rouse Mr Thomas and Ms Owen could bring him round only by slapping his face.The court heard it had been almost impossible to rouse Mr Thomas and Ms Owen could bring him round only by slapping his face.
At 1100 that morning tests showed Mr Thomas' blood-alcohol level was still more than twice the legal limit for drivers.At 1100 that morning tests showed Mr Thomas' blood-alcohol level was still more than twice the legal limit for drivers.
It was estimated at 0700 it would have been almost three times the limit. At some point during the night the reading would have been five times the limit.It was estimated at 0700 it would have been almost three times the limit. At some point during the night the reading would have been five times the limit.
That level, said Mr Clee, would render social drinkers unconscious, "almost dead."That level, said Mr Clee, would render social drinkers unconscious, "almost dead."
Mr Clee said during police interviews Mr Thomas described himself as an alcoholic who never became actually drunk.Mr Clee said during police interviews Mr Thomas described himself as an alcoholic who never became actually drunk.
He admitted drinking a litre bottle of vodka but insisted he had drunk it the evening before and not after 2000 GMT.He admitted drinking a litre bottle of vodka but insisted he had drunk it the evening before and not after 2000 GMT.
The case continues.The case continues.