Soldier 'shook baby son to death' in Stourport flat
A soldier from Worcestershire shook his five-and-a-half month-old son to death in a fit of rage while home on leave, a court has heard.
Private Jonathan James, 25, is charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of his son Theo Davies.
In 2009 Theo collapsed while in his father's care at his Stourport flat.
He was taken to hospital but care was later withdrawn and post-mortem tests showed Theo died from a head injury. His father denies manslaughter.
Prosecutor Christopher Millington QC, told Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday that Theo's injuries were probably the result of a momentary flash of temper or a loss of control.
The court heard how Pte James had been left in charge of Theo in a flat he shared with Theo's mother while she went to buy some milk on 24 August, 2009.
The prosecutor surmised that Pte James lost his temper and violently shook Theo, although he said the exact circumstances of what happened in their flat in Stourport may never be known.
Pte James, who is based at the Ministry of Defence barracks in St Athan, Barry, in the Vale of Glamorgan, called the emergency services when Theo collapsed.
Doctors managed to re-start Theo's heart, but he remained unresponsive and he died when care was withdrawn the next day.
A post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death was a head injury caused by a traumatic event occurring close to the time of his collapse.
The trial continues and is expected to last six weeks.