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| Murder accused Michael and Kerry Ives called child beaters - court | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Ethan Ives Griffiths died from a fatal brain injury in 2021 | Ethan Ives Griffiths died from a fatal brain injury in 2021 |
| A couple accused of murdering their grandson were called "child beaters" by their son, a court has heard. | A couple accused of murdering their grandson were called "child beaters" by their son, a court has heard. |
| Two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths was living with his grandparents before he died on 16 August 2021 from a catastrophic head injury. | Two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths was living with his grandparents before he died on 16 August 2021 from a catastrophic head injury. |
| Michael Ives, 47, and Kerry Ives, 46, both of Garden City, Flintshire, deny murder, causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty. | Michael Ives, 47, and Kerry Ives, 46, both of Garden City, Flintshire, deny murder, causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty. |
| Ethan's mother, Shannon Ives, 28, of Mold, has denied causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty. | Ethan's mother, Shannon Ives, 28, of Mold, has denied causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty. |
| On Monday, Mold Crown Court heard details of text messages sent by members of the Ives family to each other. | On Monday, Mold Crown Court heard details of text messages sent by members of the Ives family to each other. |
| In one message, Kerry Ives and her adult son discussed him moving out of her home because she lied about her tenancy. | In one message, Kerry Ives and her adult son discussed him moving out of her home because she lied about her tenancy. |
| Kerry Ives, 46, and Michael Ives, 47, are charged with the murder of their grandson Ethan | Kerry Ives, 46, and Michael Ives, 47, are charged with the murder of their grandson Ethan |
| In one message, Kerry Ives said: "The reason dad told you to get out was because you called us 'child beaters'." | In one message, Kerry Ives said: "The reason dad told you to get out was because you called us 'child beaters'." |
| Her son replied that by the time "you realise what you put all us kids through, it'll be too late". | Her son replied that by the time "you realise what you put all us kids through, it'll be too late". |
| His mother responded by saying: "What's he put you through? Nothing." | His mother responded by saying: "What's he put you through? Nothing." |
| She said he too would have issues if "you had parents like he did: Kicked out at a young age, going into a children's home, being hit every day". | She said he too would have issues if "you had parents like he did: Kicked out at a young age, going into a children's home, being hit every day". |
| Kerry Ives said she too was "hit every day by my mum and dad". | Kerry Ives said she too was "hit every day by my mum and dad". |
| The court was told Mr Ives sent a text to another of his adult children after Ethan moved in to live with the couple. | The court was told Mr Ives sent a text to another of his adult children after Ethan moved in to live with the couple. |
| It said when Ethan was being "naughty" he "needs to learn the hard way". | It said when Ethan was being "naughty" he "needs to learn the hard way". |
| Ethan's mother, Shannon Ives, is accused of causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty | |
| By July 2021, Ethan was on the child protection register and the court heard details of repeated contact between Shannon Ives and social services. | By July 2021, Ethan was on the child protection register and the court heard details of repeated contact between Shannon Ives and social services. |
| In one text message, she asked: "I won't have the children taken from me, will I?" | In one text message, she asked: "I won't have the children taken from me, will I?" |
| The jury heard social workers and health visitors made frequent attempts to contact Shannon Ives and establish where she and Ethan were staying. | The jury heard social workers and health visitors made frequent attempts to contact Shannon Ives and establish where she and Ethan were staying. |
| Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC told the court earlier Ethan was "quiet and withdrawn, small and painfully thin", by the time of his death. | Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC told the court earlier Ethan was "quiet and withdrawn, small and painfully thin", by the time of his death. |
| He collapsed on 14 August 2021 after a "forceful attack" by those who should have cared for him most, the jury was told. | He collapsed on 14 August 2021 after a "forceful attack" by those who should have cared for him most, the jury was told. |
| A post-mortem examination showed he weighed 22lb (10kg) and was 92cm (3ft) tall. | A post-mortem examination showed he weighed 22lb (10kg) and was 92cm (3ft) tall. |
| He had 40 different injuries on his body, including a swollen brain and numerous trauma injuries to his head and abdomen. | He had 40 different injuries on his body, including a swollen brain and numerous trauma injuries to his head and abdomen. |
| The court heard the pathologist concluded it was likely he had been the victim of non-accidental injuries and the cause of death was a head injury. | The court heard the pathologist concluded it was likely he had been the victim of non-accidental injuries and the cause of death was a head injury. |
| The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
| Ethan was discovered "severely underweight, covered in bruises at his grandparents' house |