Mother tells court baby was her hero

Gemma O’Donnell, 27, said she could not explain the sudden deterioration which led to the death of five-month old Leighton.

O’Donnell, of Bright Street, York, is on trial at Leeds Crown Court where she denies the manslaughter of her son.

The prosecution claims O’Donnell shook the baby in frustration as she struggled to cope at the time of the alleged incident in November 2010.

The jury has heard Leighton weighed only 1lb 15oz when he was born 13 weeks premature and suffered from a range of medical problems linked to his early birth. He died 20 weeks later from a brain injury.

The prosecution claim the injury was caused by non-accidental trauma most likely due to his being shaken.

But Robert Smith QC has told the jury the defence would raise other explanations for his collapse and death.

Giving evidence yesterday, O’Donnell told the court: “He was all I ever wanted. I wanted to be a mother. It was the best thing that ever happened. I had all the love in the world for him.

“He was my little hero. I just can’t describe the feelings.

“I just loved him so much. He was everything I everything I ever wanted.”

The trial continues.