Man convicted of killing baby boy after 'violent shaking'

Warning: This article contains distressing details

A 29-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering his partner's five-month-old baby.

Jensen-Lee Dougal, who was described as a "happy baby" adored by his family, died on 31 March 2024 after suffering catastrophic brain injuries at the hands of Thomas Morgan.

He had been looking after Jensen-Lee when he violently shook the baby while "full of rage" following an abusive text exchange with an ex-girlfriend.

The jury at Swansea Crown Court watched "horrific and unforgettable" CCTV of a "limp and lifeless" Jensen-Lee being carried out of their home on Players Avenue, Clydach, Swansea, in the arms of Morgan.

Jensen-Lee's injuries included catastrophic brain injuries, multiple fractures and haemorrhaging behind his eye.

Evidence of rib fractures was also found, while Jensen-Lee's brain injury was described by neurosurgeons as "devastating".

Expert witnesses told the court the injuries sustained by the baby were among the worst they had ever seen.

During the four-week trial the jury heard distressing evidence about how Jensen-Lee was violently shaken.

Morgan was regarded as Jensen-Lee's stepfather after starting a relationship with mother Jordan Dougal and moving into the family home in mid-January 2024.

Jordan Dougal said her son was "a really happy baby" and that she "never had any issues" with Morgan caring for her son, adding she thought she had found their family.

Morgan was described by Jordan Dougal as being "brilliant" with her son and his own two children.

But Morgan shook baby Jensen-Lee "while full of rage" on 30 March 2024.

Morgan did not immediately call 999, instead he rang his partner.

He then told neighbours to call 999, and Judge Justice Stacey paid tribute to those who performed CPR while waiting for the ambulance.

Caroline Rees KC, prosecuting, said: "Morgan has spun a web of lies and deceit in an attempt to cover up his guilt."

Professor Stavros Stivaros from Royal Manchester Children Hospital, said there was catastrophic bleeding to Jensen-Lee's brain as well as the spinal cord even though there were no outward signs of any injuries.

He said the shaking would have been so violent that anybody witnessing a baby being shaken like that from across a street would have immediately crossed the road to stop it happening.

The doctor also said Jensen-Lee would have been rendered unconscious almost immediately by the severity of the shaking, and it could not be as a result of rough play or an attempt at resuscitation.

The baby was taken to University Hospital Wales in Cardiff and suffered a cardiac arrest but died on 31 March 2024 in his mother's arms after life-support in hospital was removed.

Jordan Dougal told the court: "He would just be stuck to a machine for the rest of his life," adding, "I didn't want to remember him like that when he was such a happy baby."

Morgan, from Gorseinon, showed no emotion from the dock as the verdict was read out. There were cries from the public gallery from Jensen-Lee's family as the jury gave their unanimous verdict.

Judge Justice Stacey thanked the jury during an "awful trial" describing it as "the saddest of all cases".

She also thanked barristers and the police for their work, as well as Jensen-Lee's family who have sat through the trial.

Morgan was also found guilty of one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but found not guilty on two counts of the same charge.

He will be sentenced on 25 February.

Det Insp Lianne Rees of South Wales Police said the conviction brings some justice, but cannot ease the family's "profound heartbreak".

She praised the public, emergency services and others for their "desperate efforts" to save Jenson-Lee.

She also thanked the family for their "incredible dignity and strength" and the teams involved in the case for their "continued hard work throughout what has been a very difficult investigation and trial".