Ashley McGregor standing trial for manslaughter of three-week-old son Alvin

A father allegedly left his three-week-old baby to suffer for close to two days before his death, including getting his partner to blow bong smoke in his face.

A father allegedly left his three-week-old baby to suffer for 40 hours before his death, including getting his partner to blow bong smoke in his face.

Ashley John McGregor, 34, is standing trial this week after the baby was rushed to hospital “completely unresponsive and lifeless”.

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 and he had hit his face on a toy and was bleeding.

Ashley John McGregor is standing trial for manslaughter. Photo: File

Rebecca Denton was sentenced last year for criminal neglect. Photographer NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

Denton rushed home, with the court hearing Alvin’s condition deteriorating over the next 40 hours, to the point where he was no longer feeding properly.

The court heard Mr McGregor bought children’s Panadol for Alvin, which Mr Foundas said was “grossly inadequate” and revealed a degree of knowledge that something was wrong.

“The accused suggested to Ms Denton that perhaps she blow cannabis smoke in to Alvin’s face, suggesting that his symptoms were a result of withdrawals from cannabis,” Mr Foundas said.

The court heard Denton did so, with prosecution alleging the couple were both heavy cannabis users, and Denton had used the drug throughout her pregnancy.

On the morning of April 23, 2021, Alvin was rushed to Noarlunga Hospital.

“He was not breathing, his body was cold and pale in colour and he was completely unresponsive, he was lifeless,” Mr Foundas said.

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.

Chris Allen, for Mr McGregor, told the court his client denies that he did any acts that were unlawful or dangerous.

“On the defence case, as soon as he appreciated that the child required attention he was the one that took steps to have the child taken to hospital,” he said.

Mr Allen said it wouldn’t be argued that the more serious injuries, particularly the head injuries, were caused by the bassinet incident.

Giving evidence, Denton told the court she smoked multiple bongs a day while pregnant with Alvin and her and Mr McGregor would also smoke cannabis after Alvin was born.

She said when she returned home after the phone call on April 21, her and Mr McGregor had a discussion and decided to “wait and see” with Alvin - who seemed normal - rather than seek medical attention immediately.

The judge-alone trial continues.

Originally published as Ashley McGregor standing trial for manslaughter of three-week-old son Alvin