Alfie Lamb's mother 'screamed' at toddler before he was crushed to death in car, court told

A toddler was crushed to death by a car seat after his mother "screamed" at him and "dragged" him around the shops, a court has heard.
Three-and-a-half-year-old Alfie Lamb, who was crushed to death by an electric car seat because his mother's boyfriend was annoyed that he was making too much noise, a court at the Old Bailey in London heard.Three-and-a-half-year-old Alfie Lamb, who was crushed to death by an electric car seat because his mother's boyfriend was annoyed that he was making too much noise, a court at the Old Bailey in London heard.
Three-and-a-half-year-old Alfie Lamb, who was crushed to death by an electric car seat because his mother's boyfriend was annoyed that he was making too much noise, a court at the Old Bailey in London heard.

Alfie Lamb, aged three, was allegedly squashed in the rear footwell of a blue Audi convertible by his mother's boyfriend Stephen Waterson, 25.

His mother Adrian Hoare, 23, just told him to "shut up" as he screamed, the Old Bailey heard.

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The couple are on trial accused of Alfie's manslaughter on February 1 last year.

Three-and-a-half-year-old Alfie Lamb, who was crushed to death by an electric car seat because his mother's boyfriend was annoyed that he was making too much noise, a court at the Old Bailey in London heard.Three-and-a-half-year-old Alfie Lamb, who was crushed to death by an electric car seat because his mother's boyfriend was annoyed that he was making too much noise, a court at the Old Bailey in London heard.
Three-and-a-half-year-old Alfie Lamb, who was crushed to death by an electric car seat because his mother's boyfriend was annoyed that he was making too much noise, a court at the Old Bailey in London heard.

There were four adults and two children in the car during the ill-fated journey from Sutton to Croydon, south London.

Both children had been put into the rear footwell after Waterson allegedly refused to allow child seats.

Marcus Lamb, 22, drove his step-brother Waterson's Audi A4 convertible back to Croydon.

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Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC asked: "How was Adrian treating Alfie when they were shopping?"

Giving evidence from behind a screen, Mr Lamb replied: "Quite bad, to be honest. If he tripped up she would drag him up."

The witness added she was also "screaming at him".

He told the court Waterson told Alfie to get on the floor by Hoare's feet, behind him in the front passenger side.

The witness said he had been disqualified from driving but Waterson "forced" him to get behind the wheel with "threats".

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During the journey, Mr Lamb said he kept his eyes on the road but heard Alfie "screaming".

He said: "I think I heard him say 'mummy' - just heard people telling him to shut up. Stephen - and Adrian told him once as well. Alfie did not be quiet and kept screaming."

Mr Lamb said he could hear the electrics of Waterson's seat being moved back about halfway into the journey and he saw his legs "spaced out a bit more".

He told the court he knew Hoare through his uncle Richard, Alfie's father, and was dating Emilie Williams, 19, who was also in the car.

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Mr Lamb said he had met up with them all during a trip to Sutton to buy birthday presents.

Hoare denies manslaughter, child cruelty and common assault on Miss Williams.

Waterson has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and intimidation of Mr Lamb.

The couple and Williams have pleaded guilty to conspiring to pervert the course of justice by making false statements to police.