Father denies poisoning baby son

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A father has denied attempting to kill his baby son by smothering him and poisoning him with painkillers.

Teesside Crown Court was told that in the first two months of his life, the child was admitted to four hospitals with symptoms which confused doctors.

Traces of codeine and Tramadol were found in his system.

The prosecution alleged that the child's sickness enabled the defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to remain in the baby's mother's home.

He denies unlawfully administering a poison so as to endanger life, child cruelty, attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent.

Emergency care

Jurors were told that the charges related to incidents that happened in autumn 2008, and each time the baby fell ill he had been in the sole care of his father.

The man remained calm and unemotional when his son was receiving emergency care, which alerted hospital staff who contacted police and the social services, the court heard.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, told the trial, which is expected to last up to four weeks, that the baby's mother became pregnant soon after meeting the defendant.

The pair did not live together, but it was agreed he would move in two weeks before the birth to help out, and would stay for another fortnight after.

Mr Dodds said: "The child's repeated admission to hospital extended the agreed period of time that the defendant remained at (her) home."

"During that time, she became more dependent on him and so grew isolated from friends and family."

The trial continues.