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Daniel Pelka: Stepfather 'broke boy's arm in hide-and-seek' | Daniel Pelka: Stepfather 'broke boy's arm in hide-and-seek' |
(35 minutes later) | |
The stepfather of a four-year-old boy he is accused of murdering has told jurors he accidentally broke the child's arm in a game of hide-and-seek. | The stepfather of a four-year-old boy he is accused of murdering has told jurors he accidentally broke the child's arm in a game of hide-and-seek. |
Daniel Pelka died from a head injury in Coventry in March 2012. | Daniel Pelka died from a head injury in Coventry in March 2012. |
His mother Magdelena Luczak, 27, and her partner, Mariusz Krezolek, 33, both from Poland, deny murder. | His mother Magdelena Luczak, 27, and her partner, Mariusz Krezolek, 33, both from Poland, deny murder. |
Mr Krezolek told Birmingham Crown Court he accidentally broke Daniel's arm during the game in January 2011, but denied ever beating him. | Mr Krezolek told Birmingham Crown Court he accidentally broke Daniel's arm during the game in January 2011, but denied ever beating him. |
He admitted smacking Daniel on the hands and bottom. | He admitted smacking Daniel on the hands and bottom. |
Mr Krezolek told the court the boy's mother had an alcohol problem, regularly smoked marijuana and would shout at Daniel or shake him when she was angry. | Mr Krezolek told the court the boy's mother had an alcohol problem, regularly smoked marijuana and would shout at Daniel or shake him when she was angry. |
He said she would sometimes hit the boy with a belt. | He said she would sometimes hit the boy with a belt. |
'I was stupid' | |
Mr Krezolek claimed Ms Luczak asked him to make Daniel kneel down for up to 20 minutes as punishment for stealing food at school and bad behaviour. | |
"I was stupid and I listened to Magda," he told the court. | |
He said he also made the boy run around the living room and do about 10 minutes of squats, again at Ms Luczak bidding. | |
Mr Krezolek said: "She said that Daniel should feel a man's hand." | |
He claimed her view was that "it's the man that should be punishing". | |
The trial has previously heard how Ms Luczak and Mr Krezolek allegedly starved and murdered the boy, who was confirmed dead in the early hours of 3 March. | The trial has previously heard how Ms Luczak and Mr Krezolek allegedly starved and murdered the boy, who was confirmed dead in the early hours of 3 March. |
Mr Krezolek, giving evidence through a Polish interpreter, said while Ms Luczak regularly drank alcohol, he would only drink on special occasions. | Mr Krezolek, giving evidence through a Polish interpreter, said while Ms Luczak regularly drank alcohol, he would only drink on special occasions. |
He told the court he had moved out a number of times but kept coming back because he had strong feelings for Ms Luczak. | He told the court he had moved out a number of times but kept coming back because he had strong feelings for Ms Luczak. |
Mr Krezolek told the court Ms Luczak would "get angry" and "throw things" when she had been drinking. | Mr Krezolek told the court Ms Luczak would "get angry" and "throw things" when she had been drinking. |
'Explode' | 'Explode' |
He said Ms Luczak made a number of "false allegations" of assault against him and said he was arrested but never charged. | He said Ms Luczak made a number of "false allegations" of assault against him and said he was arrested but never charged. |
Mr Krezolek said Ms Luczak, would "sometimes out-of-the-blue explode and cause arguments". | Mr Krezolek said Ms Luczak, would "sometimes out-of-the-blue explode and cause arguments". |
The court was told by Mr Krezolek that Daniel was a "cheeky boy", but said he was "completely normal". | The court was told by Mr Krezolek that Daniel was a "cheeky boy", but said he was "completely normal". |
However, he told the jury the youngster could be timid when he was taken to a park and did not like to speak to other children. | However, he told the jury the youngster could be timid when he was taken to a park and did not like to speak to other children. |
He said Daniel said very little in English or Polish, but that his relationship with Daniel and his sibling was "very good". | He said Daniel said very little in English or Polish, but that his relationship with Daniel and his sibling was "very good". |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |