Father accused of baby murder said he would 'protect his children at all costs'

Philip Peace, of Himley Road in Dudley, is accused of murdering his five-month-old daughter Summer.

She died on September 9, 2017, after suffering a head injury. She also sustained 11 rib fractures.

Summer collapsed around 25 hours before her death and her father administered chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, Birmingham Crown Court was told.

Prosecutors allege Summer suffered fatal brain injuries after being intentionally shaken by Peace.

But while being questioned by his defence counsel Michael Turner QC, Peace denied shaking Summer, saying: "No of course I would not [do that]."

Mr Turner asked his client whether he had "smashed her head against anything, a soft or a hard surface".

Peace responded: "No of course I did not. I would not do anything to hurt her."

Asked whether he ever wanted to "cause intentional injury to your children, in particular Summer," he replied: "No, of course not. I loved them more than anything."

Peace said he was "so proud of being a dad", and added: "They were my reason for getting out of bed each day and going to work.

"I would never do anything to hurt them. I would do everything in my power to protect them and make them safe, happy and content."

He also denied having any intentions to kill or seriously harm Summer.

More from the trial:

• Dudley baby death trial told of girl's 'traumatic injury'

• Collapse of five-month-old Summer 'not due to pneumonia'

• Jury told of little Summer's fight for life

• Court hears father tried CPR on daughter

• Medics tell of fight for little Summer

• Father could have caused brain injuries to girl in panic, trial told

• Man on trial over baby daughter's death

Peace recalled finding Summer breathing strangely which caused him to become "panicked".

He said he picked her up and brought the baby to his shoulder, where he said he "knew something was wrong" and described her head going back.

Peace spoke with a 999 call operator - who told him to "breathe into her mouth", the trial heard.

He said he also carried out chest compressions for "a couple of minutes".

Asked about the compression technique that he used, Peace said: "Basically, [I was] doing what you see on television, using both hands and pushing down."

He said he had received basic first aid training in 2010 but this was "not with babies".

At hospital following Summer's collapse, Peace said he was "in a state of shock" and was "going through the emotions".

He was arrested by police in the wake of his daughter's death on suspicion of murder.

Peace said: "They were trying to make out I had lost my temper in a fit of rage."

Peace moved to the West Midlands in 2009. He was born in Hertfordshire and went to school in St Albans.

Peace has a previous conviction of handling stolen goods, which he received aged 18, but he has had no other convictions since then.

He has denied the murder and manslaughter of Summer.

The trial continues.