Joshua Millinson murder trial: Baby's brain injuries 'among worst seen'
The brain injury suffered by a 13-day-old boy allegedly murdered by his father was 'at the most extreme end of the spectrum' according to a consultant doctor, a court heard.
Joshua Millinson suffered fatal injuries at his Wolverhampton home in October last year and died after spending nearly a month on life support.
A court heard yesterday he had a profound brain injury which was caused by oxygen and blood deprivation in addition to bleeding within the protective layers covering the brain.
Ms Sally Howes, opening the case, said consultant neuropathologist Dr Daniel Duplessis, who examined Joshua, considered his injuries particularly severe and believed they may have been caused by vigorous shaking. Joshua's father, 23-year-old Daniel Sanzone, is standing trial at Birmingham Crown Court accused of his murder, causing or allowing his death, and cruelty to a child. He denies the charges.
"It is his opinion that the mechanism that can cause this is overstretching the lower brainstem and upper spinal cord which adversely affects the functions located in the brain stem responsible for the maintenance of normal heartbeat and breathing.
"Over-extension and flexion of the neck may be caused by vigorous shaking or a head impact or a combination of these."
The prosecution allege Sanzone shook his son resulting in brain injuries which caused his death.
In addition they allege Joshua's mother, Zoe Howell, 'turned a blind eye' to the risk of harm to her child by Sanzone.
During Ms Howes' opening, the jury heard details of police interviews with Sanzone and Howell, who is charged with causing or allowing his death, and cruelty to a child, which she denies.
Howell, aged 19, told police she had gone into the kitchen of the couple's home in Whitburn Close, Pendeford, on October 24 last year when she heard a thud.
She told police she went into the living room and found Joshua on the settee, screaming, with Sanzone hovering over him.
Howell said Sanzone told her he dropped a remote, the court heard. In interview, Sanzone said the thud had been the sound of his sofa hitting the wall as he sat back, said Ms Howes.
The trial continues.
