Stepfather Convicted of Murdering Five-Month-Old Baby in Violent Shaking Attack
A man has been found guilty of murdering his five-month-old stepson by shaking the infant to death while in what prosecutors described as a state of 'full rage'. Thomas Morgan, aged 29, was convicted by a jury at Swansea Crown Court for the killing of 'happy and healthy' Jensen-Lee Dougal.
Catastrophic Injuries and a Tragic Death
The court heard that on March 30, 2024, Morgan violently shook Jensen-Lee at the family home in Clydach, Swansea. This assault caused catastrophic brain damage, multiple fractures, and extensive retinal bleeding in both of the baby's eyes. Jensen-Lee was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day after life support was withdrawn. He died in the arms of his mother, Jordan Dougal, aged 24.
Caroline Rees KC, prosecuting, stated that Morgan had 'seriously abused the trust placed in him'. Medical experts, including Professor Stavros Stivaros, a lead consultant paediatric neuroradiologist at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, confirmed the injuries were consistent with a severe shaking incident. Professor Stivaros testified: 'It is the sort of shaking injury that, if we saw somebody doing that to someone on the other side of the road, you would cross over to intervene because of its severity. It is not the sort of trauma a child can inflict on itself.'
Angry Argument Preceded the Fatal Assault
The fatal incident occurred after Morgan had engaged in a heated argument with his former partner, Georgia Griffiths, earlier that day. The court was told he sent Ms Griffiths a series of 'angry and abusive' text messages, calling her a 'stinking little rat' and a 'stinking little dog'. Prosecutors argued this dispute had 'flipped some kind of switch' in Morgan, leaving him 'angry and aggressive' and unfit to care for a child.
With Jensen-Lee's mother at work for a shift at a village pub, Morgan was left alone with the infant. Mrs Rees described how, with his 'temper raised and his fuse short, his temper must have snapped and he shook Jensen-Lee with such violence that he caused the devastating injuries.'
Mother's Heartbreaking Testimony and the Aftermath
Jordan Dougal recounted her final moments with her son before the tragedy. She said: 'I gave Jensen a kiss, it was the last time. I said bye to them both and then I went to work.' She described Jensen-Lee as 'smiling' when she left, with no concerns until she saw a missed call from Morgan.
Upon calling back, Morgan told her he was 'freaking out' and that Jensen-Lee had stopped breathing. Ms Dougal repeatedly instructed him to call an ambulance, but instead, Morgan took the baby to a neighbour's home for assistance. She told the court: 'I told him to ring an ambulance, like why was he speaking to me he should be ringing an ambulance? I hung up. I rung an ambulance like five times.'
After Jensen-Lee's death, Ms Dougal and Morgan's relationship became strained, leading to their separation about two months later. She wept as she described the agonising decision to turn off her son's life support, saying: 'I didn't want to remember him like that when he was such a happy baby.' She hugged him as he passed away in her arms.
Defence Claims and Sentencing
Throughout the trial, Morgan denied the allegations, claiming he had attempted to save Jensen-Lee's life after the baby began choking. However, the jury rejected this defence, finding him guilty of murder. Thomas Morgan, of Gorseinon, Swansea, is now awaiting sentencing, which will be determined at a later date.
