A alleged ‘killer’ accused of murdering his girlfriend’s two-year-old son told police ‘it was like he was having a nightmare’ before he died, a court heard.
Phylesia (24), and Kemar, her boyfriend, are being accused of killing Kyrell Matthews, in her Thornton Heath flat.
Shirley called 111 when her son was ill and instead of dialling 999, the Old Bailey in London said.
While paramedics were rushing Kyrell to Croydon University Hospital, police followed the ambulance and spoke to Brown about previous events.
Brown stated that he felt like he was experiencing nightmares in footage taken from the body-worn camcorder of one police officer.
‘We didn’t know what was going on, we were watching as he was like, laying down‘
Brown claimed that Shirley and he tried to give Kyrell sweets, juice and cornflakes as they lay dying. However, he declined.
He stated that ‘at first, we gave him cornflakes just to test if he liked them.
This toddler, who was not verbal at the time of his death on October 20, 2019, had suffered 41 fractures to his ribs and also internal bleeding. He also sustained a 1.6in (4 cm) injury to his liver. The death resulted from very strong squeezing, or blows according to jurors.
They both denied murder. Shirley admitted to the killing and severe physical injuries that were done to the child. Brown has denied all of these charges.
Phylesia (24), and Kemar, her boyfriend, are being accused of killing Kyrell Matthews at Kyrell’s one-bedroom apartment in Thornton Heath.
Court sketch of Phylesia and Kemar Shirley at the Old Bailey, London
Brown informed the officers that Kyrell had refused to eat and Shirley decided to contact 111.
“Her eyes were rolling back as she spoke on the phone to me,” he said. His breathing problems were present at birth, which I do not know why.
‘It’s crazy, it’s crazy, it’s crazy. We thought he was sleeping or tired.
They said that you should do CPS. Do mouth to mouth, then do …’ the next moment.
Jurors were advised that the ambulance arrived twelve minutes after receiving the initial call. The team continued their efforts to save the little boy’s life. However, they could not maintain his heartbeat.
Edward Brown QC the Prosecutor, previously told jurors that Kyrell was brought to Croydon University Hospital. However, medical staff failed to revive him and his life was declared unaffected at 16:15.
“As you know, they were unable to revive any heartbeat at all. He was pronounced dead at his flat.
Shirley Brown and Brown, both of whom deny murder, are currently on trial at London’s Old Bailey (pictured).
Brown stated that he was going to the shop and found Kyrell lying asleep.
Brown stated that the toddler started to twitch, then became limp when the parents tried to get him to awaken. At this point, the couple called emergency services.
Shirley, who was “distressed” by the arrival of emergency personnel and was then unable to control her emotions when Kyrell’s death was announced, was calm and unengaged all through.
Shirley of Bensam Manor Road in Thonton Heath (south London) denies the murder, but she has admitted to allowing the killing of a child as well as allowing severe physical injury.
Brown, from Grange Park Road in Thornton Heath (south London), denies murdering, causing, or allowing the child’s death, and causing, or allowing, serious bodily harm to another child.
The trial is continuing.