Joshua Millinson murder trial: Father 'threatened trouble' as doctors battled to save baby

Daniel Sanzone is accused of shaking 13-day-old Joshua Millinson at his Wolverhampton home on October 24 last year causing him 'catastrophic' brain injuries.

Joshua was taken to the A&E department at New Cross Hospital that night, where efforts were made to resuscitate him.

Yesterday a jury heard that Police Sergeant Tony Blakeman spoke with Sanzone and Zoe Howell, the baby's mother, at the hospital.

Sanzone told Sgt Blakeman that Joshua was being fed and suddenly stopped feeding and went bright red, it was declared.

Sgt Blakeman, added: "She (Howell) said they had been to A&E since the birth as Joshua had a breathing problem.

Joshua suffered brain injuries, bleeding within the layer protecting his brain, and extensive bleeding into both retinas following the alleged shaking. And he died following nearly a month on life support after the High Court ruled his care should be withdrawn.

Sanzone, 23, of Whitburn Close, Pendeford, denies murdering Joshua, causing or allowing his death and cruelty to a child.

Howell, 19, of the same address, faces and denies the latter two charges and is accused by the prosecution of 'turning a blind eye.'

On Monday, the trial heard Joshua was twice taken to A&E in the five days before the alleged murder and on both occasions he was assessed as being a well child.

There was evidence from a number of medical staff at New Cross who examined Joshua on those two occasions and who believed he was a healthy boy.

They included Dr Siranvir Jaspal who examined Joshua on the second visit on October 22.

He said: "I noticed the child looked well. There were no obvious deformities in his four limbs. There was no swelling. There was no tenderness of the joints of his arms of his legs.

"I listened to his heart and the sounds were regular at about 150bpm. I listened to his chest and his chest was all clear. There was no tenderness of the abdomen."

Dr Jaspal added he discussed Joshua with a consultant who advised, among other actions, that Joshua attend a paediatric review clinic the following morning. But the jury was told the consultant later noted that the family did not attend the appointment.

The trial continues.