Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I shook him
Stepdad in 1968 murder trial insists he didn’t swing tot against fireplace
A DAD on trial for murdering his toddler stepson in 1968 yesterday admitted shaking him on the night he died – but denied swinging him against a fireplace.
David Dearlove, 71, gave evidence after jurors heard of his alleged cruelty towards tragic Paul Booth and siblings Peter and Stephanie.
Peter, 53, has claimed he saw Paul’s murder on October 1, 1968. At the time, Dearlove told police the 19-month-old suffered head injuries when he fell out of bed.
He claimed he found Paul on the bedroom floor after hearing him “scream out” at their home in Stockton-ontees. Dearlove also told officers he gave him a playful shake at bedtime. He explained to Teesside crown court: “If I was putting him to bed I’d give him a little shake and throw him on the pillow and he liked it.”
Under cross examination, he denied a former babysitter’s claim he “belted” Paul’s mum Carol Booth and said he never saw any bruises on Paul.
Jurors have seen photos of Paul’s injuries from September 1968.
The accused also said Peter and Stephanie’s cruelty claims were “mistaken”. Peter broke his 49-year silence after seeing a photo of Dearlove and Paul on Facebook.
The defendant, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, denies murder and child cruelty.
The trial continues.