Ashley McGregor not giving evidence in manslaughter trial of three-week-old son Alvin
A father who allegedly violently shook his baby with injuries like being in a “high-impact car crash” won’t be taking the stand in his trial, a court heard.
Police & Courts
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A father who allegedly violently shook his baby before leaving him to suffer for close to two days won’t be taking the stand, a court heard.
Ashley John McGregor, 34, is standing trial after allegedly suggesting to his partner to blow bong smoke in the boy’s face rather than seek medical attention.
Prosecutor Michael Foundas told the District Court in his opening that Mr McGregor had been in a relationship with Rebecca Denton who gave birth to Alvin on April 4, 2021.
He was left to take care of Alvin on April 21, 2021 while Denton was out shopping.
The court heard Denton received a panicked call from Mr McGregor that afternoon who told her he had accidentally knocked over the bassinet, which Alvin was in.
The court heard Alvin’s condition deteriorated over the next 40 hours, to the point where he was no longer feeding properly.
On the morning of April 23, 2021, Alvin was rushed to Noarlunga Hospital “completely unresponsive”.
An autopsy revealed Alvin’s cause of death was a blunt force head injury, with a number of other significant injuries, including rib fractures, bruising and bleeding on the brain.
“They revealed that these injuries were not the result of some accident or other innocent explanation,” Mr Foundas said.
“The prosecution allege Alvin has been held tightly around the chest and forcefully thrust about at least once but more likely more than that.
“And in the course of that event his head has struck a solid object.”
Mr McGregor has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and criminal neglect.
Denton – who pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal neglect over her role in not seeking medical attention for Alvin – was sentenced to over four years jail last year.
However, she was ordered to serve the sentence on home detention.
In the interview a few weeks after Alvin’s death, a detective told Mr McGregor it’s likely he would have survived if he received medical treatment immediately after sustaining the injuries.
The detective also told Mr McGregor an interim post-mortem report showed Alvin’s injuries were consistent with him being “violently shaken” and similar to what you’d expect in a “high impact car crash”.
Mr McGregor’s defence lawyer, Chris Allen, told the court his client “denies that he did any acts that were unlawful or dangerous” or causing any of the more serious injuries.
On Friday, Mr Allen told the court Mr McGregor wouldn’t be giving evidence in the trial.
The judge-alone trial continues, with closing submissions adjourned until next week.
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