Ethan’s grandad Michael Ives, who is accused of murdering the toddler, told a jury that his daughter Shannon would ‘crack’ her son
A grandfather on trial for the murder of his grandson has alleged in court that the toddler’s mother inflicted a “crack” on the child’s head days before his death. Michael Ives, 47, is adamant that his daughter Shannon Ives was responsible for a mark seen on Ethan Ives-Griffiths’ eyelid.
In court today, Michael recounted instances where he claimed his daughter would “lose her temper” with two year old Ethan. The young boy tragically collapsed at his grandparents’ home in Garden City on August 14, 2021, and passed away at Alder Hey children’s hospital in Merseyside two days later.
Both Michael and Kerry Ives, 46, from Kingsley Road, Garden City, plead not guilty to charges of murder, an alternative count of causing or allowing the death of a child, and cruelty to a person under 16. Shannon Ives, 28, from Nant Garmon, Mold, also denies causing or allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a person under 16. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.
On the twelfth day of their trial at Mold Crown Court, the jury was presented with evidence from police interviews. Michael Ives described to officers how he had been feeding Ethan macaroni cheese on Saturday, August 14, which was the same day the child was later admitted to hospital with severe injuries, reports North Wales Live.
The court was told that shortly after, Shannon attempted to feed Ethan, and when Michael next saw the child, he noticed a mark on the corner of Ethan’s left eyelid.
Michael informed the police: “I said it wasn’t there five minutes ago,” during a discussion with Shannon in his bedroom.
According to Michael, Shannon responded: “It just appeared”.
Michael expressed his belief that Shannon was being dishonest, suggesting she had given Ethan a “crack”. When questioned about the mark, Michael described it to police as protruding with a “little red line on his eyelid”.
He further stated that Shannon couldn’t account for why the mark hadn’t been there before its sudden appearance. A detective asked Michael: “Did anyone else mention the red mark?”.
To which Michael Ives responded: “No.”
The detective then asked: “Did you apply any medical aid to Ethan?” Michael Ives answered: “No.”
The court also heard today that on the previous day, Friday, August 13, 2021, Michael was rolling a cigarette in his living room when he heard a thud. He turned to find Ethan on the floor.
Michael recounted how Ethan’s “legs went and he just fell over” while Shannon was upstairs, leaving him lying limp on the living room rug.
Michael said he took Ethan outside for fresh air, dampened his face, and he revived. Later that day, Ethan accompanied Shannon’s parents to Tesco in Broughton.
Michael explained that he and Kerry took Ethan shopping “just to keep an eye on him” and that he seemed fine.
Regarding Shannon’s general treatment of Ethan, Michael alleged that his daughter would strike him, but he would suggest she “tap him on the hand” or make him sit on the step for five minutes instead.
Michael Ives characterised Shannon as: “She was quick-tempered so she would just lash out…She couldn’t cope with the crying.”
Michael asserted that he had counselled Shannon against using force on Ethan. He informed the police: “Ethan would play up and try and take the mickey out of her.
“She would get irritated and lash out at him.”
Shannon would strike Ethan on the back of the head or top of the legs, “three, four or five times a day,” he maintained.
Michael conveyed to the police that he had advised her there was no need for such aggression, telling his daughter: “You’re just going to knock the Devil into (a child).”
Michael also disclosed to the police that he doesn’t communicate with his daughter Shannon now. He stated: “She’s cut us all off. She’s told us to ‘F*** ourselves’.”
He attributes this to “down to grief” and added: “She needs help. She can’t cope with the grief (after losing Ethan).”
On her part, Shannon informed Detective Constable Janette Williams that she couldn’t comprehend what happened to Ethan (when he fell in the living room) as he was “never left alone and was always with her family”.
The court later heard that on the evening of Saturday, August 14, Ethan fell again but Michael claims he caught him. He was “gasping for breath” and Michael says he fetched a defibrillator.
The court was told Kerry called an ambulance and Ethan was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital before being transferred to Alder Hey where he died on August 16, 2021.
The jury also listened to a police interview with Ethan’s grandmother Kerry Ives. She expressed regret for Facetiming another daughter Nicole before calling an ambulance about 20 minutes after Ethan’s collapse.
She recounted to detectives: “He was making a frog sound, like he was gasping for air. He looked like my nan and mum looked when they passed away.”
Regarding the time it took for her to act, she explained: “I was confused. I was having a bad day. I froze.”
When queried about why she chose to Facetime Nicole (Shannon’s sister) first, Kerry responded: “I shouldn’t have done that. I should have phoned an ambulance.”
The trial is set to proceed.
Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice