Ethan Ives-Griffiths murder trial day three: Flintshire
Michael Ives (47) and Kerry Ives (46) - Ethan's grandparents - from Garden City, stand accused of murdering Ethan Ives-Griffiths, who died on August 16, 2021.
They have also been charged with: Causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm, and Causing the assault / ill treatment / neglect / abandonment of a child to cause unnecessary suffering / injury.
Shannon Ives (28), Ethan's mother, also standing trial, has been charged with: Causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm, and Causing the assault / ill treatment / neglect / abandonment of a child to cause unnecessary suffering / injury.
At Mold Crown Court on Tuesday (June 10) Mr Jayaratnam Jayamohan, a Paediatric Neurosurgeon for more than 20 years, gave evidence.
Mr Jayamohan confirmed that Ethan was unresponsive on arrival at the Countess of Chester hospital on August 14, adding that after examinations, medical professionals would classify Ethan as being in a coma at the time.
Mr Jayamohan said there is a way of looking at verbal responses, motor responses and whether the eyes were open or closed. He stated that Ethan's PERMA score was 7/15. Fifteen being the highest and three being the lowest.
Following a CT scan, Ethan was transferred to Alder Hey hospital. At the stage of being transferred to Alder Hey for surgery, Mr Jayamohan described Ethan as being "desperately ill".
The court heard that Ethan had a "large amount of fluid" pressing on brain and the operation was aimed at removing fluid.
When asked by Caroline Rees KC, prosecuting, about the state of Ethan at this point, Mr Jayamohan said it was a "very hopeful operation" and he "was probably going to die".
He added: "He was a young boy, so we were always going to give him every opportunity. Everything was stacked against him at this point."
When asked by Ms Rees whether there were "clear abnormalities inside the skull", when discussing Ethan's CT scan, Mr Jayamohan replied: "Yes".
Reviewing the scan, Mr Jayamohan said: "It tells me there is very significant abnormality on right side causing pressure and would not be working at all right. It is essentially having a stroke to whole half of brain and reflects how desperately unwell he was."
He states there were areas of fresh blood (less than 10 days old) within the subdural space, in addition to the fresh blood within the brain. Mr Jayamohan said the bleeding suggests at least two episodes to cause bleeding in brain, but it "could be more".
Mr Jayamohan said he hasn't seen any evidence or history that Ethan had hit his head, adding that Ethan collapsed and went straight into a "comatose situation", which was consistent with the findings of his CT scan
Mr Jayamohan said the injuries caused to Ethan's head could come from two mechanisms, and that both could happen rather than one or the other.
The first is an "impact" or physical contact with an object moving to hit the right side of Ethan's head or Ethan's head moving to hit object. The second mechanism is that of a shaking injury, which doesn't involve an impact.
'Either way is involving trauma that is abnormal', he said.
Mr Jayamohan said in his view it is clear that the brain injury suffered by Ethan that led to his collapse must have occurred "pretty much straight away" on August 14.
He said that once Ethan had sustained the injury he was "always likely to die".
Mr David Elias KC, defence for Michael Ives asked Mr Jayamohan whether the pressure on Ethan's brain prior to August 13 may have caused changes in behaviour such as weakness and withdrawal. Mr Jayamohan said it was possible but couldn't say that it definitely could have caused the changes.
Mr Elias asked whether there may have been bleeding in Ethan's brain in the lead up to August 13, which Mr Jayamohan confirmed.
"That bleeding could lead to gradual build up of pressure on brain and skull," said Mr Elias.
Mr Elias asked whether an increase in pressure could lead to seizures, which Mr Jayamohan confirmed, but added that he would be "exceptionally surprised" if the subdural bleeding found in Ethan caused a seizure.
When asked about the injuries suffered by Ethan on August 14, Mr Jayamohan said that collisions can occur with a hard surface, without sustaining a fracture, as was the case with Ethan.
Mr Elias asks about lucid intervals within children suffering non accidental lethal head injuries.
For some head injuries you can have a period of 'complete normality', states Mr Elias, which Mr Jayamohan states was not in the case of Ethan.
Mr Jayamohan said: "Lucid means behaving neurologically normally. In general that is correct, for various reasons not applicable to Ethan."
Owen Edwards KC, defence for Kerry Ives, said that Ethan was "subject to substantial head injury close to time of collapse", with Mr Jayamohan stating that the use of force wouldn't have been lowered because of Ethan's presentation at the time.
The court was also shown police body worn footage of Shannon Ives' first interview, which took place at 1.30am on August 15 at Alder Hey.
When asked how Ethan had got in that position, Shannon Ives replied: 'I don't really know to be honest".
She said that Ethan wasn't really interacting with anybody, but was still eating and drinking. She claimed Ethan was "in his own little world" and wouldn't play with anyone, despite encouragement.
RELATED READING
Shannon Ives continued, stating that Ethan was "completely fine" on Friday, August 13, before collapsing at around 10am.
When discussing the events of August 14, Shannon Ives said that he had collapsed and it was "worse" than the Friday.
She gestured that she and Michael Ives were doing CPR but Ethan wouldn't wake up. In the footage, Shannon was seen crying and saying "I don't know what's caused it".
In the video, Shannon said that Ethan was "not the same child as he used to be".
Phone and text messages from Shannon Ives and Kerry Ives to other friends and family were also read out to the court.
The trial continues.
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Leader Live
3 days ago
- Leader Live
Ethan Ives-Griffiths murder trial day 5 at Mold Crown Court
Michael Ives, 47, and Kerry Ives, 46, from Garden City, stand accused of murdering Ethan Ives-Griffiths, who died on August 16, 2021. They have also been charged with: Causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm, and Causing the assault / ill treatment / neglect / abandonment of a child to cause unnecessary suffering / injury. Shannon Ives, 28, Ethan's mother, also standing trial, has been charged with: Causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm, and Causing the assault / ill treatment / neglect / abandonment of a child to cause unnecessary suffering / injury. At Mold Crown Court on Thursday (June 12), the court heard evidence from medical experts. Dr Daniel Du Plessis, a consultant neuropathologist for over 22 years and specialises in unnatural trauma to the brain and spinal cord, was first to be called to the witness stand. Dr Du Plessis told the court that Ethan suffered a Hypoxic Ischemic brain injury – a technical term no blood or oxygen getting to the brain. He stated that Ethan had also suffered a subdural bleed and that he could rule out any natural causes in this case, and that he can be "certain" Ethan suffered a "traumatic subdural bleed". Dr Du Plessis said that the "traumatic subdural bleed" is consistent with being subject to "some physical force or rapid movement, including twisting or forwards or backwards movement." He added that Ethan's scans showed fresh bleeds on the brain that were 48 hours or less in age, stating that he felt the bleed occurred on August 14, 2021. Dr Du Plessis stated that Ethan also suffered a Sub arachnoid haemorrhage, "one of the most painful things" a conscious person can experience. Dr Du Plessis said that if Ethan had suffered this injury when conscious he would have been "screaming his head off". He also told the court that Ethan suffered a spinal subdural haemorrhage, which "suggests a non-accidental injury". He added it is an 'extremely valuable and reliable feature in non-accidental trauma in young children'. Dr Du Plessis said that a "non-traumatic" cause had been ruled out in this case. "This is definite evidence of a major traumatic event," he added. Dr Du Plessis referred to the bilateral retinal bleeding suffered by Ethan, in addition to the subdural bleed and swollen brain, stating that those three injuries are often referred to "the triad" in young children. He said that if a "young child presents with 'triad' you should strongly consider non-accidental". Ethan's case 'can be classed as an extreme example of triad injuries," he added When asked about the level of force needed to cause the injuries suffered by Ethan, Dr Du Plessis said it would be "severe". He said the best example is that it would "involve an act that would horrify a bystander". Dr Du Plessis said that it would require "vigorous shaking" in addition with a head having an impact with an object, examples listed by Dr Du Plessis included a "wall, cushion or sofa". Concluding, Dr Du Plessis said that "a traumatic head injury" was the cause of Ethan's collapse on August 14, the findings were consistent of a "non-accidental" injury and that there was "no plausible" evidence of an accidental head injury. David Elias KC, defending Michael Ives, stated that Dr Du Plessis said it was 'most likely' Ethan's collapse was "within minutes" of suffering the injury, but argued that he could not exclude a longer timeframe, which Dr Du Plessis agreed with. Mr Elias also said the court "must be careful" when thinking of how Ethan presented, referring to the sub arachnoid haemorrhage and spinal nerve root bleeds being "secondary" injuries. Discussing Ethan's high sodium and the possibility of thrombosis, Dr Du Plessis said that thrombosis "didn't occur" and even if it did, it "wouldn't have explained subdural bleeding". Dr Du Plessis said that he had carefully looked at the veins and found no evidence of any clots. Owen Edwards KC, defence for Kerry Ives, asked whether a "single forceful blow with the front or back of an adult hand with resulting pivot of head" could cause these injuries, Dr Du Plessis said he "couldn't totally discount it", but was "highly sceptical", stating a fist would be "more plausible". Mr Edwards asked whether a child's head hitting a sofa straight after could cause the injuries, Dr Du Plessis said it would "amplify the force" and that it could "possibly" cause the injuries and cause a collapse. The court also heard evidence from Dr Malcolm Coulthard, a paediatric nephrologist, who specialises in looking at kidney related matters. Dr Coulthard said that Ethan was "severely dehydrated" which was the cause of hypernatremia (high sodium levels). Dr Coulthard stated that the levels of dehydration is often measured in a percentage loss in bodyweight. Someone who is "thirsty for a drink" would be around one or two percent, says Dr Coulthard. Dr Coulthard went on to say that "anything above 15 percent is life threatening" before telling the court Ethan was approximately 20% on August 14, and had lost around a fifth of his body weight in water. Ethan's level of dehydration was compatible with having not drunk properly for several days, according to Dr Coulthard and that it would have been clear he required "urgent medical care". Regarding Ethan's sodium levels, Dr Coulthard said that the normal person's level would be between 135-145 and that it is "key" to keep it in that range. Anything outside of range is "abnormal", says Dr Coulthard. Dr Coulthard tells the court that Ethan's sodium levels were 180, "way, way, way above the top level of range." "You would never see a child in your professional life time with sodium that high," said Dr Coulthard. Referring to CCTV of Ethan on the trampoline from August 4, Dr Coulthard said that Ethan had shown signs of "neurological regression" as he was carried and "barely able to stand", showing "no interest in standing up". Dr Coulthard said Ethan was 'bounced like a rag doll' on the trampoline, before being carried away by one arm in a 'bizarre way' by Michael Ives "hanging like a rag doll'. Dr Coulthard added that there were "descriptions of him drinking and eating normally" from the defendants, which he claimed was "not possible". When asked about the level of neglect towards Ethan, Dr Coulthard said it was "difficult to see how you could neglect a toddler worse than this". Dr Coulthard said Ethan's weight loss and dehydration was "staggering" and that it couldn't have happened over three days, stating that "for some time this little boy could've had no food or drink". Mr Edwards asked Dr Coulthard to confirm that Ethan was "clearly" unwell in the lead up to his death and that a brain injury had had an effect on him, which Dr Coulthard agreed. Dr Coulthard added that although it was his diagnosis that Ethan wasn't wanting to eat or drink, he would expect Ethan's carers to "have concerns" over a toddler not wanting to eat or drink. The trial continues.
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Leader Live
Ethan Ives-Griffiths murder trial day three: Flintshire
Michael Ives (47) and Kerry Ives (46) - Ethan's grandparents - from Garden City, stand accused of murdering Ethan Ives-Griffiths, who died on August 16, 2021. They have also been charged with: Causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm, and Causing the assault / ill treatment / neglect / abandonment of a child to cause unnecessary suffering / injury. Shannon Ives (28), Ethan's mother, also standing trial, has been charged with: Causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm, and Causing the assault / ill treatment / neglect / abandonment of a child to cause unnecessary suffering / injury. At Mold Crown Court on Tuesday (June 10) Mr Jayaratnam Jayamohan, a Paediatric Neurosurgeon for more than 20 years, gave evidence. Mr Jayamohan confirmed that Ethan was unresponsive on arrival at the Countess of Chester hospital on August 14, adding that after examinations, medical professionals would classify Ethan as being in a coma at the time. Mr Jayamohan said there is a way of looking at verbal responses, motor responses and whether the eyes were open or closed. He stated that Ethan's PERMA score was 7/15. Fifteen being the highest and three being the lowest. Following a CT scan, Ethan was transferred to Alder Hey hospital. At the stage of being transferred to Alder Hey for surgery, Mr Jayamohan described Ethan as being "desperately ill". The court heard that Ethan had a "large amount of fluid" pressing on brain and the operation was aimed at removing fluid. When asked by Caroline Rees KC, prosecuting, about the state of Ethan at this point, Mr Jayamohan said it was a "very hopeful operation" and he "was probably going to die". He added: "He was a young boy, so we were always going to give him every opportunity. Everything was stacked against him at this point." When asked by Ms Rees whether there were "clear abnormalities inside the skull", when discussing Ethan's CT scan, Mr Jayamohan replied: "Yes". Reviewing the scan, Mr Jayamohan said: "It tells me there is very significant abnormality on right side causing pressure and would not be working at all right. It is essentially having a stroke to whole half of brain and reflects how desperately unwell he was." He states there were areas of fresh blood (less than 10 days old) within the subdural space, in addition to the fresh blood within the brain. Mr Jayamohan said the bleeding suggests at least two episodes to cause bleeding in brain, but it "could be more". Mr Jayamohan said he hasn't seen any evidence or history that Ethan had hit his head, adding that Ethan collapsed and went straight into a "comatose situation", which was consistent with the findings of his CT scan Mr Jayamohan said the injuries caused to Ethan's head could come from two mechanisms, and that both could happen rather than one or the other. The first is an "impact" or physical contact with an object moving to hit the right side of Ethan's head or Ethan's head moving to hit object. The second mechanism is that of a shaking injury, which doesn't involve an impact. 'Either way is involving trauma that is abnormal', he said. Mr Jayamohan said in his view it is clear that the brain injury suffered by Ethan that led to his collapse must have occurred "pretty much straight away" on August 14. He said that once Ethan had sustained the injury he was "always likely to die". Mr David Elias KC, defence for Michael Ives asked Mr Jayamohan whether the pressure on Ethan's brain prior to August 13 may have caused changes in behaviour such as weakness and withdrawal. Mr Jayamohan said it was possible but couldn't say that it definitely could have caused the changes. Mr Elias asked whether there may have been bleeding in Ethan's brain in the lead up to August 13, which Mr Jayamohan confirmed. "That bleeding could lead to gradual build up of pressure on brain and skull," said Mr Elias. Mr Elias asked whether an increase in pressure could lead to seizures, which Mr Jayamohan confirmed, but added that he would be "exceptionally surprised" if the subdural bleeding found in Ethan caused a seizure. When asked about the injuries suffered by Ethan on August 14, Mr Jayamohan said that collisions can occur with a hard surface, without sustaining a fracture, as was the case with Ethan. Mr Elias asks about lucid intervals within children suffering non accidental lethal head injuries. For some head injuries you can have a period of 'complete normality', states Mr Elias, which Mr Jayamohan states was not in the case of Ethan. Mr Jayamohan said: "Lucid means behaving neurologically normally. In general that is correct, for various reasons not applicable to Ethan." Owen Edwards KC, defence for Kerry Ives, said that Ethan was "subject to substantial head injury close to time of collapse", with Mr Jayamohan stating that the use of force wouldn't have been lowered because of Ethan's presentation at the time. The court was also shown police body worn footage of Shannon Ives' first interview, which took place at 1.30am on August 15 at Alder Hey. When asked how Ethan had got in that position, Shannon Ives replied: 'I don't really know to be honest". She said that Ethan wasn't really interacting with anybody, but was still eating and drinking. She claimed Ethan was "in his own little world" and wouldn't play with anyone, despite encouragement. RELATED READING Shannon Ives continued, stating that Ethan was "completely fine" on Friday, August 13, before collapsing at around 10am. When discussing the events of August 14, Shannon Ives said that he had collapsed and it was "worse" than the Friday. She gestured that she and Michael Ives were doing CPR but Ethan wouldn't wake up. In the footage, Shannon was seen crying and saying "I don't know what's caused it". In the video, Shannon said that Ethan was "not the same child as he used to be". Phone and text messages from Shannon Ives and Kerry Ives to other friends and family were also read out to the court. The trial continues.
Wales Online
08-06-2025
- Wales Online
Best friend of crash victim says loss is 'space in life that will never be filled'
Best friend of crash victim says loss is 'space in life that will never be filled' Ethan Powell, 20, was found on the A465 between Rhymney and Dowlais next to an overturned quadbike in the early hours of Saturday, May 31 Dozens of people remembered Ethan Powell at a balloon release on Sunday (Image: Mark Lewis ) The best friend of a young man who died in a collision on the A465 has opened up over the moment he "broke down" as he learnt the tragic news, describing how the loss is a "space in his life that will never be filled". Ethan Powell was found on the A465 between Rhymney and Dowlais next to an overturned quadbike in the early hours of Saturday, May 31. The 20-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have arrested five people as part of their investigation into the crash, one of whom has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Jake Williams was Ethan's best friend. Since his tragic passing he and his friend Kyron, who was also very close to Ethan, have begun organised events and fundraisers to remember him and to raise money for his family. On Wednesday there was a balloon release in his memory in Crickhowell and on Sunday another one was held at Welfare Park in Brynmawr. As the balloons were released on Sunday there was a particularly touching moment as Pretty Green Eyes by Ultrabeat, which was Ethan's favourite song, was played. Describing the moment he found out what had happened to his friend Jake said: "Me and his other best friend, Kyron, it was always us three together. Ethan's dad called me and Kyron because we were actually out at the time looking for him. He told us what had happened and I just broke down. I was in bits. "I have been literally speechless over the last couple of days and it kind of hit me at one point then and it has stuck with me that he has gone. Article continues below "I am really struggling with it. I have been out until late at night with Kyron just talking about random stuff to keep it off our minds. "Ethan was family to me. He was like another brother. I don't think that space in my life will ever be filled. Every day I'd come home from work he would ring me. He'd ring me in the morning, ring me at night." Ethan Powell died in a collision on the A465 Heads of the Valleys road on Saturday, May 31 (Image: Gwent Police ) Jake, aged 20, described his friend's personality, and told the story of how the pair first met. He said: "Ethan was an overall character – everything he did made everyone laugh. We met through college in Ebbw Vale. "We were on different courses – he did bricklaying and I did carpentry. "He was playing football outside and I came over and he said: 'Come and have a kickabout'. We had a game of football outside the college and before we knew it we became best buddies. "We used to play football together regularly at the welfare with all the boys. We used to go out in the cars and park up and talk about random stuff and we used to go out in Brynmawr on the weekends after rugby. He played rugby and football. "I'll always remember him first driving my car – that was a funny memory. He was having driving lessons and I let him have a go of driving my car up the industrial and all he did was stall. "He was a spontaneous person. He would make decisions in his head and he'd just go with it – it could be 10pm at night and he'd want to go to Porthcawl. We always had a good laugh together. He'd always be smiling, always laughing. He was cheeky as well. "He absolutely adored his family, his little sister and his mum and dad. He was a very, very, very good person and a talented footballer as well. Football was his main passion, a bit of rugby, he loved his tattoos. He loved his music, hard style, drum and bass, techno." The balloon release was a poignant sight (Image: Mark Lewis ) Jake said that he and Kyron are now focusing on doing what they can to keep their friend's memory alive with the phrase 'Forever 20' a central part of their efforts in memory of Ethan. He said: "We've got the balloon releases and I am selling stickers as well for cars to raise money. At the moment we're looking to organise a charity football match too to raise money for Ethan's family. We'd like to do that every year but we have to get it off the ground at the moment. We've got boys ready – it's just about sorting a referee and things like that." Gwent Police has issued an appeal in their murder investigation into the crash. Officers found a burnt-out BMW in the Dowlais area during the investigation, which they believe may have been involved in the collision. They asked anyone who may have information on this car to contact them. Police are also urging anyone who was travelling along the A465 between the hours of 2am and 5am on May 31 to check their dashcams. A spokesman for Gwent Police said: "Officers investigating a fatal road traffic collision on the A465 westbound between Rhymney and Dowlais on Saturday, May 31, are continuing their appeal for information. "A Brynmawr man, 20, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene at around 4.50am after his quadbike was found overturned on the westbound carriageway. His family are aware and continue to receive support from specially-trained officers. "A Merthyr man, 40, was arrested on suspicion of murder and driving whilst unfit through drink and driving whilst unfit through drugs. A second man, 37 and from Merthyr also, was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender. Both were later released on conditional bail as inquiries continue." Detective chief inspector for Gwent Police, Matthew Edwards, the senior investigating officer, said: "We're keen to speak to anyone who was travelling along the A465 between the hours of 2am and 5am on Saturday morning, especially motorists with dashcam, as they could have details that might assist our inquiries. "It is still our view that a second vehicle – a white BMW that was found burnt out in the Dowlais area – may have been involved in the collision. If you have any information about this car then please get in touch." Article continues below "Anyone with information that could assist our investigation is asked to call 101, contact us via our website, or send us a direct message on social media quoting log reference 2500171434. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously with information by calling 0800 555 111 or going to their website to report online in confidence." A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ethan's family and has so far raised more than £1,700. If you wish to make a donation you can do so by clicking here.
