Pickle was a nickname given by his mother

The jury at Maidstone Crown Court heard Danny Shepherd was known by the nickname Pickle.

His cousin Emma Letford said she understood the term had come from his mother having a craving for pickles when she was pregnant with him.

She added: “When he was born, he was cute and had such a cute face so the nickname stuck.”

Shepherd grew up and lived in Faversham before moving to the Island two years ago.

The former Abbey School pupil moved into Cox’s former home in Queens Way, Sheerness, soon after they met in July 2015.

The couple lived in a twobed semi-detached home before moving into the fourbed house in Lapwing Close, Minster, in November 2015 – the same month Eli was born.

Ms Letford said: “Danny was a cute, loving child. Quiet, but turned out to be the worst as he hit teenage years.

“He got in with the wrong crowd.”

It is understood Shepherd has had previous run-ins with the police over drugs issues.

The court heard Cox had 12 previous convictions for 20 offences including assault causing actual bodily harm, burglary, handling stolen goods and shoplifting.

However, Ms Letford said, after taking everything into account, she would never have thought Shepherd would have been capable of causing the death of a child.

“He’s had a good life,” she said, “and a mum and dad who have been together since teenagers at school”.

It is understood both Shepherd and Cox did not work.