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A man described as “full of rage” has been accused of killing his partner’s infant son by violently shaking him, resulting in catastrophic brain injuries, a court has heard. Thomas Morgan, 29, is standing trial at Swansea Crown Court, denying the charge of murdering five-month-old Jensen-Lee Dougal at the family home in Swansea. The incident reportedly occurred while Morgan was left alone with the baby, as Jensen-Lee’s mother, Jordan Dougal, was at work. The court was told that Morgan had become angry following a contentious text exchange with a former girlfriend prior to the baby’s death.
Jensen-Lee tragically passed away on 31 March 2024 after life support was removed at the hospital, where he had been admitted with severe injuries. Alongside the murder charge, Morgan also faces three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the baby between January and March 2024. Prosecuting barrister Caroline Rees KC described Morgan’s actions as deliberate abuse, involving “significant and excessive force.” She explained that Morgan, who was treated as Jensen-Lee’s stepfather, had gained the mother’s trust since he met the baby early in his relationship with Jordan Dougal and spent most of his time at their home.
The prosecution detailed that despite the mother having no initial concerns about leaving her son with Morgan—who had two children from a previous relationship and maintained a caring role—the defendant betrayed that trust by inflicting serious injuries on the infant. Ms. Rees stated that Morgan, “angry and in temper,” violently shook Jensen-Lee “with such force as to cause catastrophic brain injuries,” also causing multiple fractures and hemorrhaging behind the baby’s eye. Evidence suggested that the violence culminated at the end of March 2024 but that earlier incidents of harm had also occurred.
On 30 March, Morgan dropped off his children with their mother, Georgia Griffiths, following an accidental injury to one child’s hand in a car door, which led to an argument and an abusive text exchange lasting about an hour and a half. The prosecution argued this incident marked a change in Morgan’s mood and was closely followed by the injuries that ultimately proved fatal to Jensen-Lee. When Jensen-Lee’s mother was at work, Morgan called to report the baby was choking and had stopped breathing. CCTV footage showed him carrying the unresponsive infant out of the house in Clydach to a neighbour who then attempted CPR. Emergency call recordings revealed Morgan’s distraught voice confirming the baby was not breathing. Medical examinations confirmed extensive brain swelling, bleeding, rib fractures, and a devastating brain injury, beyond the point of surgical intervention. Doctors initiated safeguarding procedures, and later that day, Jensen-Lee died in his mother’s arms after life support was withdrawn. The trial is ongoing
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