Mother’s ex-partner denies shaking baby

A 31-year-old man has denied shaking a baby who died six days after collapsing at her home.

Lexi Wilband, who lived in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, was four months old when she was rushed to hospital in April 2020.

Tests showed that she had suffered bleeding on her brain. Prosecutors say this was probably caused by being violently shaken on more than one occasion.

Jack Wheeler, who is not Lexi’s biological father, and Lexi’s mum Melissa Wilband are on trial at Bristol Crown Court, both accused of her manslaughter and of causing or allowing her death.

The court was told how Lexi collapsed at her home in Newent, in the Forest of Dean, in April 2020, and died in hospital six days later.

Mr Wheeler, of Ledbury in Herefordshire, described the moment his ex-partner’s baby went floppy in his arms and stopped breathing.

He was questioned about whether he had shaken Lexi out of frustration to stop her crying. “No,” he replied.

He was asked if he had shaken Lexi the night she collapsed. “No,” he said.

“Did you ever shake Lexi?,” he was asked. He again answered “no”.

Ms Wilband, of Newent in Gloucestershire, and Mr Wheeler deny charges of manslaughter and of causing or allowing Lexi’s death.

The trial continues.