Father smothered baby, court told

A drug user murdered his baby son by smothering him to death, it has been alleged in court.

Stephen Levey, 25, of Middle Hill, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, denies murdering Ethan on 26 September, 2003.

Mr Levey was distressed that he may not have been the father of baby Ethan, a jury was told at St Albans Crown Court.

He was also jealous of the relationship between his girlfriend, Tania Van Straten, and the father of her older child, the court heard on Monday.

Prosecutor Stuart Trimmer told the jury of six men and six women that Ethan was born on 11 June, 2003, and died when he was a little over three months old.

Post mortem inconclusive

He said the mother and Mr Levey, who lived in Larchwood Road, Hemel Hempstead, had both been addicted to Class A drugs.

At the time Ms Van Straten was having some success coming off drugs, but Mr Levey was finding it difficult.

He said Mr Levey became upset when Tania told him there was a possibility he may not be Ethan's father.

Mr Trimmer alleged that some time between 25 August and 20 September Ethan suffered a fracture about the right ankle and in the week before his death there were four more fractures on the femur and tibia.

Mr Trimmer alleged that at the time Mr Levey and Ms Van Straten were the carers for Ethan. He said she will tell the jury she did not cause the injuries.

He told the court that a post mortem carried out on Ethan was unable to determine what had killed him, but he said it was possible to say it was not a natural cause of death.

"The crown say this defendant smothered Ethan Levey. The child did not die from natural disease," said Mr