Baby Jayden Wray – Jury told of ‘proud, happy parents’
Published: December 2, 2011
by DAVID ST GEORGE
by DAVID ST GEORGE
AS the murder trial of the parents of baby Jayden Wray enters its final stages this week, jurors at the Old Bailey were told how the “totally devoted” couple would never have allowed any harm to come to him.
The prosecution allege that the four-month-old suffered a series of “non accidental” shaking or shaking-impact injuries leading to multiple fractures and brain damage while at home in Holloway.
Jayden was admitted to University College Hospital in July 2009 and was transferred to Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital for specialist care, where surgeons fought in vain to save his life.
Experts called by the defence lawyers for parents Rohan Wray and Chana Al-Alas have told the court that bone-wasting disease and severe ricketts were the cause of the infant’s tragic death.
His father, a mechanics student aged 19 at the time, and mother, then aged 16 – they are now aged 22 and 19, respectively – walked arm in arm outside court during breaks in the evidence on Wednesday as family friends and relatives told the court how they were regarded as model parents.
They deny charges of murder or causing or allowing the death of their son, and jurors are expected to retire to consider verdicts next week.
The couple lived on the Barnsbury estate.
Ms Al-Alas’s mother, Catrina, called to testify by her daughter’s QC, Sally O’Neill, told the jury that the couple had dated since January 2007.
They went out with groups of friends but spent a lot of time studying.
Mrs Al-Alas said that when her daughter became pregnant and gave birth to Jayden she had “no reservations that they would be capable of caring. She was a natural mother and he was a very proud father.”
She added: “The arrival of Jayden was not in any way an inconvenience. It was what they wanted.”
Jayden was “a good baby” and Mrs Al-Alas said she had “no concerns or worries” about his welfare in the couple’s hands.
Earlier, family friend and fellow churchgoer Mrs Sandra Antoine, a registered Islington Council foster carer for more than 30 years, said she had been a neighbour and had known Mr Wray since he was a child.
Mrs Antoine said he was quiet, thoughtful, polite, well-behaved and from a good home. He attended her youth club on the estate and she said she never witnessed “any anger or aggression”.
Mrs Antoine said that in July 2009 she met Mr Wray and Miss Al-Alas at a family birthday party when they had Jayden with them.
“He was smiling and gorgeous,” she recalled. “I complimented them on what a beautiful son they had.”
Mrs Antoine added “I had no concerns about their ability as parents. They were just a very happy young couple.”
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