THE father of a baby who died after receiving around 40 injuries to his head and body has given evidence at the Old Bailey today (Apr 21).

Bobby Louch died at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, on December 29, 2008.

His mother Collette Harris, aged 30, of Chapel Close, Crayford, and her then boyfriend James Phillips, aged 25, of Dale View, Erith, deny murdering the 21-month-old child.

Twenty days prior to his death, Bobby had been taken to Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, with a broken leg.

His father Dan Louch told the court that around this time he noticed bruises on the child's forehead.

Mr Louch said he had never seen bruises like them before and asked Harris what had happened.

She allegedly said Bobby had been banging his head on his cot.

He claimed Harris was “pretty hysterical” saying “the hospital were victimising” her over the bruises.

Shortly afterwards, Bobby came to stay with Mr Louch from December 19 to December 24.

Mr Louch recalled how on one occasion he raised his arm to smack Bobby on the hand and the child “cowered down” in a “reflex action”.

He said: “He just put his hands above his head and sort of kneeled down."

During Christmas Day, Mr Louch said his son was “moody”.

On December 28, the witness said he was expecting to have Bobby but Harris cancelled, saying she had other plans.

The next day he had a phone call from a “frantic” Harris saying Bobby was not breathing.

Mr Louch went to Queen Mary's Hospital and said when Harris saw him she told a nurse: “He's going to hit me.”

Prosecutor Richard Whittam asked him: “Have you got any idea why she was saying that?”

He replied: “Not at all.”

Harris and Phillips deny an alternative charge of causing or allowing the death of a child.

The trial continues.