Shaken baby case - child had severe brain haemorrhage, witness tells court

A criminal court continued hearing the compilation of evidence against Nigerian footballer Akande Williams, 23, who is pleading not guilty of trying to kill Maleek Olowoshile, a 14-month baby, on 15 April.

Forensic pathologist Mario Scerri took the witness stand and told the court he had examined the baby on two separate occasions. The 14-month baby, who was fathered by another man and not the accused, was taken to hospital on April 5 after the boy had a fit and began clenching his jaw. In this instance the baby was hospitalised for one week.

Ten days later the child's mother, Abiola, who is now pregnant with a child from the accused, left for work but at around midday the accused called her and told her that the baby was cold, stiff and unconscious.

The baby was rushed to hospital by ambulance where it resulted that the baby had multiple fractures and severe hemorrhage in the brain.

Dr Scerri also explained that following suspicions of shaken baby syndrome a skeletal examination of the baby is done. Whist no fractures were found the first time the baby was examined, signs of healing fractures on various bones of the baby did result when the baby was examined a second time. The accused had claimed that the baby had bitten his fingers but no evidence of bites were found on the hands of the accused.

Police Inspectors James Grech and Jessica Grima prosecuted while lawyer Joseph Ellis appeared as defence.

The continues on June 24.