An accused father who was charged with murdering his son and daughter has revealed that he attempted to save their lives using CPR.
Jordan Monaghan, 30, attempted to revive both three-week-old Ruby and Logan – aged 21 months – after they had both stopped breathing, a jury heard.
Monaghan, of Blackburn, Lancashire, is alleged to have smothered Ruby on New Year’s Day 2013 before murdering Logan eight months later. Monaghan denied the murder charges.
Ben Myers, the QC, who was defending him, asked him whether he had done any harm or contributed in some way to their deaths.
Jordan Monaghan (pictured), 30, has claimed that he attempted to revive both three-week-old Ruby and Logan – aged 21 months – after they had both stopped breathing, a jury heard
Monaghan was heard telling Ruby that she had watched a New Year’s Day film while waiting to give Ruby her feed at 2am.
The children’s 28-year-old mother – Laura Gray – had gone to bed shortly after midnight.
Monaghan, the digger driver testified to jurors that Ruby had stopped breathing while he was checking on her.
He explained that he could clearly see the paleness of her skin and knew it was because she went to a colour other than grey.
“I picked her up from the Moses basket, and then I saw her. Laura heard me shout.
“Laura has gone down and taken Ruby from me. I called an ambulance.
Monaghan (of Blackburn) is charged with murdering Logan in 2013. Monaghan denied the two murder counts.
Mr Myers asked: “Have I done anything to make that happen to Ruby?”
Monaghan responded: “Definitely not. Because I wasn’t sure what Ruby was going through, I was terrified.
“They” (the emergency service) instructed me to perform CPR. Two fingers were used to push her chest and mouth, as well as give CPR. It was terrible.
Monaghan is currently on trial at Preston Crown Court in Lancashire. Ruby was taken to the hospital where she was informed that Ruby had suffered an asthma attack.
Monaghan informed Miss Gray that Logan had been taken by Miss Gray to see a doctor.
Monaghan stated: “We were anxious about what was going to happen with Logan.
“Because Rugby had been in hospital. He was still ill when he died. The hospital seemed to have missed something.
“We felt anxious whenever Logan became ill. We would worry about Logan’s health, no matter if it was just a slight cough.
Logan died on August 17 2019, the hearing heard. Monaghan took the toddler swimming, but forgot to bring a napkin so he returned home.
Monaghan stated that Logan was lying in bed in the living area while Monaghan took him to a restaurant.
He also said, “Laura called me and said something along the lines of: Logan was not breathing. It is time to go home.
‘I ran straight home. “I have been in. Logan is in the living room.
Evie Adams, 23, is accused of also murdering him. He gave her an excessive amount of Tramadol (and diazepam) on October 24, 2019.
Laura is talking to paramedics on the telephone. She was being taught CPR, but couldn’t perform it. So I took over CPR.
Monaghan replied ‘definitely no’ to Mr Myers’ question about whether he had ever done anything for Logan to make that happen.
Monaghan stated that Logan died approximately 45 minutes after being taken to the hospital.
It was quite a shock, he said. Logan did fine on that day. He had died in a way that I do not understand.
“I kept everything inside and didn’t tell anyone about what I was thinking, but it was a terrible mistake that cost me my life.”
Monaghan stated that anti-depressants were prescribed to him after his children died.
He stated that he was sad when the accident happened. I love my children.’
Evie Adams (23), is accused of also murdering him. He gave her Tramadol, diazepam, and an excessive amount of Tramadol on October 24, 2019.
Monaghan claims otherwise and tells the jury, ‘I loved Evie Adam at the time she passed away.
On Monday, the trial will continue.