Mum describes moment baby with catastrophic injuries died in her arms

A mum has described the moment her baby's life-support machine was switched off, after he was allegedly killed by her partner.

Jensen-Lee Dougal suffered catastrophic brain damage, numerous fractures and extensive retinal bleeding to both of his eyes on 30 March 2024.

Doctors told mum Jordan that he would never breathe on his own again, Swansea Crown Court was told.

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

Partner Thomas Morgan, 29, denies murder and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

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

She was at work at the Coopers Arms pub in Plasmarl, Swansea, when Morgan called.

"He told me that Jensen wasn't breathing but he was freaking out," she said.

"I think he said he might have choked."

She questioned why Morgan had called her and not 999, and told him to ring an ambulance.

Caroline Rees KC, prosecuting, asked whether there was an issue with Morgan's phone - Jordan Dougal replied it was "clear as day".

Arriving home to Players Avenue, Clydach, she found police and paramedics at the scene.

Jensen-Lee was taken to intensive care at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

His mum and Morgan followed behind in a police car and spoke very little on the way.

Jordan Dougal was shocked when doctors told her about Jensen-Lee's injuries.

"I honestly thought they were talking about a different baby," she said.

In the early hours of the following day, she had to make a decision over withdrawing her son's life support.

"They said he would never breathe on his own again," she said.

"He would just be stuck to a machine for the rest of his life.

"I didn't want to remember him like that when he was such a happy baby".

Jordan Dougal held her son when he died.

Under cross-examination by John Hipkin KC, defending, she told the jury she had known Morgan since her schooldays.

She also confirmed that in her police statement she said she would never have left her baby with Morgan if she had concerns about him.

Hipkin also asked about a text message Dougal sent her mother on 11 January where she referred to "topping" herself.

Dougal said she probably said it "in anger" but would never have done it.

"That frustration never led to you hurting Jensen in any way, shape or form?" Hipkin asked.

"Never," she replied.

Jensen-Lee's grandmother, Lucy O'Connor, told the court he was "such a wonderful baby" and described him as being the "light of our lives".

Under cross-examination by Hipkin, she said Morgan seemed good with Jensen-Lee and that the pair had a positive relationship.

The prosecution asked her about the day Jensen-Lee became ill.

She said her daughter was "hysterical" and "didn't know what to do" as she was at work when she learned Jensen-Lee was not breathing.

She and her husband got into their car and drove to Players Avenue in Clydach, and she called Morgan twice on the journey to ask him what was happening. She found a number of police cars and ambulances at the scene.

Fighting back tears in the witness stand, O'Connor said she saw her grandson on the living room floor of a neighbour's house surrounded by paramedics.

She said Morgan told her that Jensen-Lee had been sick and had stripped him off, put him on the settee and had gone upstairs to get clean clothes.

"After that he went into the living room and Jensen had been sick again and wasn't breathing," O'Connor added.

She said her daughter then arrived and was "distraught".

Later in hospital, she described how a consultant explained the extent of Jensen-Lee's injuries.

"His brain had been starved of oxygen for too long," she said.

"If he did live, he'd be severely brain damaged."

Morgan, of Gorseinon, denies murder and three counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

The trial, which continues, is expected to last four weeks.