Father accused of killing baby

A devoted father shook his five-week-old baby to death while he was feeding him, it was alleged today.

Etienne Brousse died from brain damage within hours of being rushed to hospital from his home, the Old Bailey was told.

Emmanuel Brousse, 32, of Primrose Road, Woodford, east London, denies murdering his son in June, 2003.

Jonathan Laidlaw, prosecuting, said Brousse, a shift worker at the City airport, east London, said the baby had become ill whilst he was feeding him.

But medical experts said his injuries were consistent with him being shaken.

Mr Laidlaw said Brousse and his partner Emma Smith had been described as "utterly devoted" to the baby.

Mr Laidlaw added: "He loved Etienne and was deeply involved in his care.

"He enthusiastically did jobs many fathers spend their lives trying to avoid.

"Everybody who came into contact with Mr Brousse and his family, will speak of them in glowing terms.

"We are concerned with an isolated and brief loss of temper. The defendant snapped. He was no doubt tired having been at work during the day. Perhaps he was frustrated at the time Etienne was taking to feed."

"Brousse's account of what happened did not mention shaking. He cannot bring himself to face up to what he has done," said Mr Laidlaw.