Burntwood couple found guilty of child cruelty and causing or allowing the death of a child following baby son’s death

A couple from Staffordshire have been found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty after jurors heard their baby son had suffered injuries prior to his death in 2014. Luke Morgan, aged 26, and his partner Emma Cole, aged 22, were found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty of two-month-old Tyler Morgan today (May 13) following a trial at Stafford Crown Court. Morgan and Cole were found not guilty of murder and manslaughter. The court heard that an ambulance was called to Morgan and Cole’s former home in Sunnymead Road, Burntwood, on 29 April 2014 after Morgan said he had kissed his son’s forehead and it felt cool to the touch. Tyler was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:30am. The cause of death was recorded as ‘unascertained. Detective Chief Inspector Victoria Downing, of Staffordshire Police, described the case as tragic and distressing. Our first thoughts are with Tyler, who was barely two-months-old when he lost his life, and his extended family. This has been a difficult and distressing case to bring before the courts and we are grateful to those who have provided evidence to allow the jury to reach this decision.” DCI Downing thanked the reviewing CPS lawyer Wendy Bounds, QC Mr Andrew Smith and QC Mr James Dunstan for their work in securing convictions. Morgan and Cole will be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Friday 21 June.