Boyfriend denies child's killing

The pair both denied causing or allowing Joshua's death

The boyfriend of a mother accused of killing her two-year-old son has denied subjecting him to "systematic child abuse" before his death, a court heard.

Joshua Jones, was found dead at the home of Nichola Bowman, 24, and Wayne Davenport, 26, in Tilbury Place, Runcorn, Cheshire, in November 2007.

Mr Davenport, the partner of Ms Bowman, is accused of manslaughter.

Mr Davenport told the jury at Chester Crown Court he had not ill-treated the boy who died from head injuries.

Both Ms Bowman and her partner have also denied causing or allowing Joshua's death.

The court has already heard doctors found bruises and marks on Joshua's body, including teeth marks matching Davenport's dentures.

Three strikes

Almost two weeks before he was killed, Joshua was taken to hospital with a double break to his left arm.

The jury were told the toddler often cried when he was near his mother's boyfriend.

Giving evidence on Wednesday, Mr Davenport said Joshua displayed that behaviour because he was the 'new man' in Ms Bowman's life and that he had not 'ill-treated' Joshua.

The jury was shown a police video of Mr Davenport demonstrating his 'three strikes' rule on an officer.

It involved striking a child on the hand if they were badly behaved three times, a rule the defendant said he used on his own daughter.

In court ,Mr Davenport admitted he had once struck a former partner when he was drunk.

On another occasion he struck a friend who called him a 'wife beater'.

He also blamed Ms Bowman for accidently causing Joshua to have black eyes.

The case continues.