A man accused of murdering his two-year-old grandson did not slap or hit him, he has told a court. Ethan Ives-Griffiths died of a "catastrophic" brain injury on 16 August 2021 after collapsing at his grandparents' home. Ethan's grandfather Michael Ives, 47, and grandmother Kerry Ives, 46, both deny murder, causing or allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a child. Ethan's mother Shannon Ives, 28, from Mold, Flintshire, denies causing or allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a child. Mr Ives gave evidence in the witness box at the start of his defence case at Mold Crown Court on Monday. He told the court his own upbringing, in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, was a "bad one". He said he met his wife when he was 18 and she gave birth to Shannon, their eldest child, about a year later. He told the jury that Shannon was "quick tempered". He said if Ethan was misbehaving "she would start shouting and screaming" at him. He said she would become physical and give him a "slap to the back of the head". Ethan would sometimes "just stand there looking at her and laugh at her" which made her "more angry". Mr Ives said he would "pull her up over it and say 'you shouldn't be doing that'". He said Shannon told him: "It's her child so we should mind our own business". He said Ethan would bite his bottom lip drawing blood and Shannon would respond by giving him "a backhander to the mouth". He said he saw this happen "a couple of times". Asked by his defence barrister David Elias if he or Kerry Ives had ever physically told a child off or slapped or hit them he said "no." Mr Ives was shown an image from the family's home security CCTV of him carrying Ethan by holding only his upper arm. When questioned why he did that, he said: "The grass had been cut and there were nettles. But I know that's no excuse." He was also asked how he should have carried Ethan and he said "I should've picked him up and put him on my side with his legs round my waist." The trial continues.
Man accused of murdering grandson denies hitting him
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Grandfather Testifies in Trial Over Grandson's Death, Denies Physical Abuse"
Bbc News
7.6
TruthLens AI Summary
Michael Ives, 47, has testified in Mold Crown Court regarding the tragic death of his two-year-old grandson, Ethan Ives-Griffiths, who died from severe brain injuries on August 16, 2021. Ives, along with his wife Kerry Ives, 46, and their daughter Shannon Ives, 28, all face charges related to the child's death, including murder and cruelty. During his defense, Ives insisted that he never physically assaulted Ethan, despite detailing a strained family dynamic. He described his daughter Shannon as quick-tempered, noting instances where she would yell at Ethan and even hit him on the back of the head during moments of misbehavior. Ives claimed to have intervened on several occasions, discouraging Shannon's physical reprimands, but acknowledged that she was firm in asserting her authority over her child. He emphasized that he never personally struck or hit any child, including Ethan, despite witnessing his daughter's aggressive behavior on multiple occasions.
In his testimony, Ives reflected on his own difficult upbringing in Wolverhampton and the challenges of parenting he faced with Shannon. He recounted a specific instance where he carried Ethan by the upper arm, citing concern over the child's safety due to nettles in the grass, although he admitted this was not an appropriate way to carry a toddler. Ives acknowledged that he should have carried Ethan differently, mentioning that he could have held him securely against his side. The courtroom proceedings continue as the jury assesses the evidence presented, including the family's home security footage and the circumstances surrounding Ethan's tragic demise. The trial is ongoing, with the Ives family maintaining their innocence against the serious charges brought against them.
TruthLens AI Analysis
You need to be a member to generate the AI analysis for this article.
Log In to Generate AnalysisNot a member yet? Register for free.