A man who originally denied murdering his partner's 13-month-old son has changed his plea to guilty during his trial at Swansea Crown Court.
Andrew Lloyd, 23, wept uncontrollably as the charge of killing Aaron Gilbert was put to him again. The trial of Rebecca Lewis, 21, Aaron's mother and Lloyd's former partner, who denies familial homicide by not protecting her son, continues.
Lloyd had denied the murder charge until hearing medical evidence on Wednesday about Aaron's injuries. The jury had heard earlier in the trial how Aaron died from brain damage after suffering 50 separate injuries to his body. The prosecution's opening arguments claimed a neighbour was prepared to testify that Lloyd had beaten the child so badly that he looked "like the Elephant Man".
Lloyd broke down after hearing the medical evidence on Aaron Gilbert's death. Following the medical evidence, Lloyd's legal team asked the judge, Mr Justice Langstaff, for time to consult their client. After a long delay his barrister Ian Pringle QC asked for the murder charge to be put again. It was at that point that Lloyd wept so uncontrollably that Mr Justice Langstaff asked for reassurance that his was a "considered plea." Mr Pringle assured him it was. Lloyd will be sentenced to life in prison.
The case against Rebecca Lewis continues. The prosecution argues that she did not protect her son from Lloyd inflicting the fatal injuries on him.
October 2006 | 
Abortion Time Limit Cut?
