Ms Hurlow she had tried to take the baby from his home

Aaron Gilbert, of Townhill, Swansea had a "constellation" of 50 bruises when he died in May last year, aged 13 months.

Andrew Lloyd, 23, denies murder and an alternative charge of familial homicide.

The baby's mother, Rebecca Louise Lewis, 21, denies familial homicide. The trial continues.

It is the first familial homicide charge in Wales, allowing people to be prosecuted for failing to intervene to protect a child from domestic abuse.

I ran up to the veranda and shouted `Becky', and the baby started to cry from inside Sharon Hurlow, relative

The jury had previously heard that Aaron's appearance was so altered by his alleged treatment neighbours said he looked like an "elephant boy".

Giving evidence via a video link, Ms Lewis's cousin Sharon Hurlow repeatedly broke down as she told how she grew increasingly anxious for Aaron's welfare.

She said when Aaron was first born her cousin had been living with the child's biological father, Gareth Gilbert, and had been a "brilliant mother".

Ms Hurlow told the court Ms Lewis was pregnant with a second child when the couple split up.

Ms Lewis is the first person in Wales to be charged with familial homicide

She said soon after, her cousin had moved in with Mr Lloyd, and after that she had rarely seen Aaron.

When she had he was injured and his clothes were soiled and smelling of urine.

Ms Hurlow said she had twice reported her fears about the baby's treatment to the social services in anonymous calls.

When no action appeared to have been taken, she decided to act herself, the jury heard.

"I ran up to the veranda and shouted `Becky', and the baby started to cry from inside. I think he was crying for her."

She told the court that Mr Lloyd had appeared "from nowhere" and forced her out of the door.

"I was trying to get Aaron, to save him," she explained.

"I could hear Aaron screaming inside. I blame myself for not getting him out of there.

"The next time I saw him he was dead."

Ms Hurlow said when she had gone to the hospital after Aaron's death, Ms Lewis, who was there with Mr Lloyd, had said: "Aaron died but life still goes on.

"I turned around and said `Becky get out of my sight before I kill you'."

"I did not think she cared. She wasn't crying or anything," she added.

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