David Grundy Wales, Swansea Crown Court
Family photoA mum has described the moment her baby’s life-support machine was switched off, after he was allegedly killed by her partner.
Jensen-Lee Dougal suffered catastrophic brain damage, numerous fractures and extensive retinal bleeding to both of his eyes on 30 March 2024.
Doctors told mum Jordan that he would never breathe on his own again, Swansea Crown Court was told.
“He would just be stuck to a machine for the rest of his life,” she said. “I didn’t want to remember him like that when he was such a happy baby.”
Partner Thomas Morgan, 29, denies murder and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Jordan Dougal said her son was “a really happy baby” and that she “never had any issues” with Morgan caring for her son, adding that she thought she found their family.
She was at work at the Coopers Arms pub in Plasmarl, Swansea, when Morgan called.
“He told me that Jensen wasn’t breathing but he was freaking out,” she said.
“I think he said he might have choked.”
She questioned why Morgan had called her and not 999, and told him to ring an ambulance.
Caroline Rees KC, prosecuting, asked whether there was an issue with Morgan’s phone – Jordan Dougal replied it was “clear as day”.
Arriving home to Players Avenue, Clydach, she found police and paramedics at the scene.
Jensen-Lee was taken to intensive care at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
His mum and Morgan followed behind in a police car and spoke very little on the way.
Jordan Dougal was shocked when doctors told her about Jensen-Lee’s injuries.
“I honestly thought they were talking about a different baby,” she said.
In the early hours of the following day, she had to make a decision over withdrawing her son’s life support.
“They said he would never breathe on his own again,” she said.
“He would just be stuck to a machine for the rest of his life.
“I didn’t want to remember him like that when he was such a happy baby”.
Jordan Dougal held her son when he died.
His grandmother, Lucy O’Connor, told the court he was “such a wonderful baby” and described him as being the “light of our lives”.
The trial continues.