A FATHER accused of murdering his 11-month-old son blamed the fatal injuries on the family dog in court.
Part-time gardener Michael Beaumont claimed his son Kadan was 'flipped over' by Staffordshire terrier Mia before banging his head on garden steps at their home in Chapel Street, Hoyland Common.
He told a jury at Sheffield Crown Court: "I saw Mia bang into him. I just remember Mia hitting the back of him and him hitting his head on the step. He landed on the back of his head."
Kadan died in hospital from massive head injuries the next day, in September 2011, but the prosecution says the injuries were inflicted by his father.
After his death, doctors found he had two recent fractures of the skull, bleeding in his eyes and on the surface of the brain.
Robert Smith QC, prosecuting, said the dog story was a pack of lies and Kadan's death was caused by someone striking him or throwing him against some surface shortly before the emergency services were called.
Beaumont, who has a son, six, from a previous relationship, told the jury he was 'right happy' when Barnes fell pregnant.
Beaumont said his son's injuries were sustained as he was playing with the rabbits in the garden and then crawled up the two steps on a path and stood up, before being knocked over by the dog.
Asked by Brian Cox QC, defending, if he had done anything to injure Kadan, Beaumont replied: "No, I tried to help him. I loved him and miss him."
Beaumont denies murder and causing or allowing the death of a child, while Barnes denies allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a person under six.
The trial continues.
