Man accused of baby's murder not giving evidence

A 33-year-old man accused of shaking and murdering his new partner's baby has opted not to give evidence at a trial.

Kieran Humphreys denies unlawfully killing six-month-old Archie Woodbridge at a friend's house in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, on 9 February 2024.

A defence lawyer told Luton Crown Court that Mr Humphreys would not be giving evidence.

Judge Mr Justice Morris said the jury could draw "such inferences as appear proper" from Mr Humphreys' decision.

Barrister Charlotte Newell KC, who leads the prosecution team, has told jurors that Archie's mother, Saskia Woodbridge, who was then 19, had left her son alone with Mr Humphreys while she went to a nail salon.

Evidence showed Archie was "gripped and shaken" and suffered a fatal brain injury while in Mr Humphreys' "sole care" when he was at a house in Dolphin Drive, she has said.

Prosecutors say Mr Humphreys, of Bromley Gardens, appeared to kill Archie after losing his temper.

Mr Humphreys has pleaded not guilty to murder, manslaughter and child cruelty.

He had told police, after being arrested, that he "tried to save" Archie, jurors have heard.

The prosecuting barrister has told jurors how Mr Humphreys had said, when interviewed at a police station, that Archie "gasped" while sleeping and struggled to breathe.

Mr Humphreys told detectives the boy's arms had gone "all floppy", Ms Newell added.

"I ain't done nothing wrong," Mr Humphreys, who was 31 when Archie died, had told police.

He also told police he was innocent.

The jury heard he had told detectives he was "sorry for everything that has happened" but added "I ain't being done for it".

Ms Newell has told jurors how Mr Humphreys was alone with Archie at Dolphin Drive and evidence showed the infant was injured at the house and then moved to another address.

She said Mr Humphreys, his friend Karen Smith, 40, his mother Sharon Humphreys, 59, and Ms Woodbridge were involved in moving Archie to the home of a relative, who also lived in Bromley Gardens.

Jurors were told how a 999 call was made, directing paramedics to the relative's house.

Archie was declared dead on arrival in hospital later on that day, jurors have heard.

Ms Woodbridge, now 20, had told police that Mr Humphreys, his mother, and Ms Smith "made her lie about what happened and when", jurors have heard.

Mr Justice Morris told jurors on Friday that all the evidence had been presented.

The trial continues and jurors will begin considering their verdicts after hearing closing submissions from Ms Newell and Benjamin Aina KC, who leads Mr Humphreys' legal team.

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