A YOUNG couple murdered their nine-week-old son following a boozy argument about having a lack of sex due to their newborn child, a court heard.

Luke Morgan, 26, and Emma Cole, 22, allegedly killed little Tyler Morgan following an argument about money and their sex life inside their flat in Burntwood, Staffs.

The court heard Morgan became angry because he wanted to have sex but couldn’t because their baby Tyler Morgan was still awake.

Jurors were also told how on the night leading up to the tot's death neighbours heard the pair rowing about being short of money.

The court was later told that Tyler had collapsed when his chest was compressed or after he was “intentionally smothered”.

He was rushed to Walsall Manor Hospital and died 4am after suffering other injuries including fractured ribs.

The pair, who had been together for two years at the time of the incident, are on trial accused of killing Tyler on April 29, 2014.

FRACTURED RIBS
Andrew Smith QC, prosecuting, told Stafford Crown Court: "He was taken to hospital and died just after 4am. He had sustained other injuries including fractured ribs.

"Deliberate, unlawful actions caused the death and they are responsible for his murder."

A jury of eight men and six women heard how Morgan would sometimes make his son play air drums and had struck him on the back at least one occasion.

The court was told how on the night a neighbour had heard an argument between the defendants while Tyler was crying.

Mr Price said: "Luke Morgan was angry because he wanted to have sex with Miss Cole and had been prevented by Tyler being up.

"On the night of April 28, a neighbour went to bed at 10.30pm and she could hear them having an argument about having no money. Emma was sobbing.

Deliberate, unlawful actions caused the death and they are responsible for his murder

Prosecutor Andrew Smith QC
"In the early hours of April 29 there was a high pitch screech from Miss Cole.

"Barry and Helen Wood, at number 29, the flat above heard arguing in the hours before Tyler collapsed, they thought it may have been taking place in the kitchen.

"Mrs Wood said they were shouting at each other at 1am.

"The prosecution say they were having the arguments at a time when they were drinking alcohol.

"The 999 call was made at 2.42am and the first person to speak to the operator was Emma Cole.

"She said Tyler was not breathing. Paramedics were immediately dispatched.

"They were given instructions to perform CPR.

NO SIGNS OF LIFE
"At 2.51am the first of the ambulance crew were met by Luke, he was crying and upset but showed the crew into the property.

"Tyler was lying with his back on the floor. Emma Cole was trying to do chest compressions. She was plainly very upset.

"When the paramedics began to assess Tyler in the bedroom he was showing no signs of life and was in cardiac arrest.

"As paramedics treated Tyler the defendants argued. He was saying 'I was trying to wake you up', she said 'I did not know I was asleep'.

"Mr Morgan had repeatedly said 'this is a cot death isn't it'. Miss Cole kept telling him to 'shut up'.

"He died at 4.03am, he was nine weeks old.

"It was said [Luke] did not call 999 because he had a stammer.

"During April 29 police officers went to the address and saw two empty wine bottles and nine empty cans of lager."

The couple deny murder, manslaughter, allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a child under 16-years-old.

The trial continues.