Express & Star

Father jailed over baby son's death to appeal conviction

A father who was jailed over the death of his two-month-old baby has launched an appeal against his conviction.

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Tyler Morgan was two months old when he died

Tyler Morgan suffered broken ribs and was smothered at the family home in Burntwood in 2014.

Now his father Luke Morgan, 27, who along with mother Emma Cole was convicted of causing or allowing Tyler's death last year, is attempting to have his conviction overturned, the Express & Star has learned.

The pair were also found guilty of child cruelty but were cleared of his murder and manslaughter. Morgan's case was due to be heard at the Court of Appeal today.

He was jailed for eight years and Cole was sentenced to five years. The baby's father will not be considered for parole until 2023.

Luke Morgan and Emma Cole

During the trial, the court heard Morgan had bitten baby Tyler on the forearm.

Judge Michael Chambers said he believed one of the parents deliberately smothered Tyler.

Jurors were told how Tyler suffered fractured ribs before he was smothered to death at their home on Sunnymead Road, Burntwood, on April 28, 2014.

The baby was put to bed crying at 7pm but that the parents did not call for medical help until dialling 999 at around 1.30am, the court heard.

Judge Chambers said he was "satisfied that Tyler was subjected to deliberate harm".

"I'm satisfied that one of you deliberately smothered the child and the other was aware of the risk and failed to protect him," the judge said.

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