Ashley John McGregor charged with manslaughter over death of 21-day-old son

A father charged over the death of his 21-day-old son has told a court he is not guilty of the crime.

A father charged over the death of his 21-day-old son has told a court he is not guilty of the crime after previously arguing for his case to be thrown out.

On Wednesday, Ashley John McGregor, 33, of Christie Downs, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with the death of his infant son.

He pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and criminal neglect after previously telling the court he had no case to answer.

The court previously heard Mr McGregor had explained to police he had been home alone with the infant when he tripped over a pet dog, causing him to fall while holding the baby.

Mr McGregor was charged after the child arrived unresponsive at the Noarlunga Hospital on April 23, 2021, after allegedly suffering extensive brain bleeding and fractured ribs.

Ashley John McGregor, who is accused of manslaughter

The child was pronounced dead and a major crime was declared.

“A coronial report from the medical examiner has come back that doesn’t concur with the defendant’s version of events,” a prosecutor had previously told the court.

Andrew Williams, for Mr McGregor, had originally argued his client should have the case thrown out because police evidence didn’t support the fall being the source of the child’s fatal injuries.

“We say that there is not a case (to answer) in the information that is filed with the court,” he said in a previous hearing.

“It’s the cause of death … my client was charged on the basis that he was the only person that explained the injury caused to the baby … and that didn’t seem to be accepted by police.

“All of their testing and scientific evidence now shows that that’s quite plausible but in any case, the injury caused in that fall was not the cause of death.

“It’s incumbent on the DPP to be able to show that the injuries that are the cause of death were inflicted by my client and the materials simply don’t show that.”

However on Wednesday, Mr Williams instead asked magistrate Simon Smart to accept a plea from his client.

“We concede there is a case to answer and wish to enter not guilty pleas,” Mr Williams said.

Mr McGregor will return to court in October before going to trial.

Originally published as Ashley John McGregor charged with manslaughter over death of 21-day-old son