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Murder-accused parents 'blame each other' for son's death Couple 'blamed each other' for baby boy's death, court told
(about 1 hour later)
The nature of Brendon's limb fractures were consistent with "excessive pulling", the court was toldThe nature of Brendon's limb fractures were consistent with "excessive pulling", the court was told
A couple accused of murdering their premature baby blamed each other when they were arrested, a court has heard. The mother and father of a premature baby who was allegedly murdered while in hospital blamed each other for his death, a court has heard.
Brendon Staddon, who was born at 33 weeks, suffered multiple fractures while in Yeovil District Hospital's special care baby unit on 4 March 2024 at just two weeks old. Brendon Staddon, who was born at 33 weeks, suffered multiple fractures while in Yeovil District Hospital's special care baby unit on 4 March 2024. He was two weeks old.
His father Daniel Gunter, 27, is on trial for his murder at Bristol Crown Court, alongside Brendon's mother Sophie Staddon, 21, who is accused of causing or allowing his death. They both deny the charges. His father Daniel Gunter, 27, is on trial for his murder at Bristol Crown Court, alongside Brendon's mother Sophie Staddon, 21, who is accused of causing or allowing his death. They both deny the charges.
When she was arrested, Ms Staddon told police, "it wouldn't have been me, it would have been his dad", while Mr Gunter said, "she's done all this".When she was arrested, Ms Staddon told police, "it wouldn't have been me, it would have been his dad", while Mr Gunter said, "she's done all this".
Warning: This article contains details that some may find distressing, including details of severe injuries.Warning: This article contains details that some may find distressing, including details of severe injuries.
During his summing up the judge, Mr Justice Swift, said that despite being born prematurely, Brendon was doing well and had already made the transition from nasal to bottle feeding. During his summing up the judge, Mr Justice Swift, said despite being born prematurely, Brendon was doing well and had already made the transition from nasal to bottle feeding.
But upon his death he was found to have, amongst other injuries, a broken neck, a broken jaw, broken legs, broken ankles and broken wrists.But upon his death he was found to have, amongst other injuries, a broken neck, a broken jaw, broken legs, broken ankles and broken wrists.
Over his short life, nursing staff at the Somerset hospital had many concerns about his parents' behaviour, particularly Mr Gunter's repeated rough handling of him. The court heard that during his short life, nursing staff at the Somerset hospital had many concerns about his parents' behaviour, particularly Mr Gunter's repeated rough handling of him.
Mr Gunter was seen getting angry with Brendon while changing his nappy.Mr Gunter was seen getting angry with Brendon while changing his nappy.
Brendon Staddon died from head injuries while in a neonatal unit (stock image)Brendon Staddon died from head injuries while in a neonatal unit (stock image)
The couple left the hospital on 29 February, eight days after Brendon was born, and did not return until the afternoon of 4 March.The couple left the hospital on 29 February, eight days after Brendon was born, and did not return until the afternoon of 4 March.
At about 04:00 GMT the following day, Ms Staddon came to the nurses' station and asked staff to check Brendon because he was cold and floppy. At about 04:00 GMT the following day, Ms Staddon went to the nurses' station and asked staff to check Brendon because he was cold and floppy.
Mr Gunter said "he's fine, he's fine" even as nurses began the resuscitation process, the jury heard.Mr Gunter said "he's fine, he's fine" even as nurses began the resuscitation process, the jury heard.
He then asked if the two of them could "go out for air" while the team worked.He then asked if the two of them could "go out for air" while the team worked.
The court heard that when he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, Mr Gunter said to police: "What are you on about?, I've done nothing wrong mate," and "I've done nothing wrong sir, she's done all this," when he was re-arrested for murder.The court heard that when he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, Mr Gunter said to police: "What are you on about?, I've done nothing wrong mate," and "I've done nothing wrong sir, she's done all this," when he was re-arrested for murder.
When Ms Staddon was cautioned, she replied: "My baby's dead, you're telling me my baby's dead, I didn't kill my baby."When Ms Staddon was cautioned, she replied: "My baby's dead, you're telling me my baby's dead, I didn't kill my baby."
She added later: "It wouldn't have been me it would've been his dad". She added later: "It wouldn't have been me it would've been his dad."
The jury are due to retire to consider their verdict on Wednesday.The jury are due to retire to consider their verdict on Wednesday.
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