Murder jury hears father's 999 call

Jacob Wragg, who suffered with the degenerative disease Hunter syndrome, was smothered at the family home in Worthing by his father Andrew Wragg.

The jury in the trial of the former SAS soldier was played a recording yesterday of the call on the night of the killing on July 24 last year in which the defendant said he had murdered Jacob.

Wragg said to a 999 operator: "I have murdered my son. I killed him ...with a pillow over the face."

Wragg was asked by the 999 operator why he had done what he had confessed to. Wragg said: "I don't want to comment any more. That's all you need to know."

Wragg was asked if he was alone and he said his wife Mary was the only other person in the house and she was safe.

After he heard a police car was to be sent to Wragg's family home, the defendant said: "Super, thank you."

Jacob's mother Mary sat in the public gallery just feet from Wragg and clasped a hand to her mouth and wept as the events of the night were recounted.

Wragg sat in the dock emotionless as he listened to the tape.

Wragg, 37, denies murdering his son but admits manslaughter, claiming it was a mercy killing.

PC Lee Cook was the first at the house after the telephone call.

He told Lewes Crown Court: "There was a small glimmer of light and I went to the front door.

"There was no answer. I started to enter and was met by Mr Wragg.

"He seemed very calm and said: 'I have terminated my son's life ... so arrest me'."

PC Cook saw Mrs Wragg in Jacob's bedroom leaning over Jacob's body.

He said: "She was extremely distressed."

There was a heated exchange between Mrs Wragg and Sgt Christopher Collins who came in and tried to revive Jacob.

PC Cook said: "Mrs Wragg did not want Jacob to be resuscitated. Mrs Wragg became verbally loud to my sergeant."

Mrs Wragg was arrested for breach of the peace and later released without charge.

Wragg later told officers: "He is at peace now.

"I loved him so much and now I have got to stand up in court and say I put a pillow over his head.

"Please don't judge me before you know the true facts. It was a mercy killing.

"My son wanted me to do it because he has a terminal illness."

The court heard Wragg was three-and-a-half times above the drink-drive limit when he killed Jacob.

Wragg had been drinking with friend Gary Vine, a carpet fitter, in the week leading to the night he killed Jacob.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Vine told how Wragg had just returned from Iraq where he had been working as a body guard and had laughed and joked about his experiences, although sights he had seen troubled him Mr Vine said: "He did not seem to be the same."

Just hours before the killing, Mr Vine said he met Wragg in the TMG drinking club off Sompting Road, Worthing, where he was "having a laugh" with a barmaid.

Wragg was drinking vodka and Red Bull when he said: "Poor old Jacob. I was looking into his eyes today and I'm not sure he knows I'm here. He is deaf."

Wragg complained Jacob had an allowance of only three pairs of incontinence pads per day and was through them usually by lunchtime.

He told Mr Vine: "You don't know what it is like looking after him. It is 24-seven."

Mr Vine said: "I could tell it was bothering him.

"During the evening he had been totally normal other than when he got upset when talking about Jacob.

"I could see there was hurt in his face."

But carers testified Jacob was still enjoying a quality of life.

Joanne Flarry, a nurse at Naomi House hospice in Winchester, said: "He was a pleasure to look after, a bit mischievous."

Ms Flarry described Jacob's condition in his final stay at the hospice, days before his death, as good.

She said: "He was happy. Still eating and drinking, choosing his favourite videos, still being our mischievous Jacob."

She described how much the youngster enjoyed his favourite film, Free Willy.

She said: "He used to laugh and make happy noises, like squealing.

"He had seen the film so many times he knew what was going to happen and when the whale was about to jump out of the water he would jump up and clap."

Ms Flarry said Jacob enjoyed being with his family, describing his reaction when Mrs Wragg and her other, healthy son, George arrived to pick Jacob up after his final stay.

She said: "(Jacob) jumped up and was happy to see her and put his arms around her waist.

"We told Jacob George was in the house.

"He went looking for him and when he found him he put his arms round George's waist.

"I remember them looking like they were dancing and making happy noises.

"They obviously missed each other when they were apart."

As Ms Flarry spoke, Mrs Wragg wiped away tears.

Nicki West, director of nursing at St Barnabas Hospice in Southwick and Chestnut Tree House in Angmering, Worthing, said Jacob was a lively child.

She said he was: "Active, very inquisitive, wanting to know exactly what was where, very keen on watching videos.

"Certainly very much interacting with the staff and the environment."

Margaret Fry, head of care at Naomi House said: "Jacob required 24-hour care which obviously puts a strain on anyone.

"As his condition deteriorated it was going to get harder."

Dorinda Bennett, Mrs Wragg's best friend, said: "His quality of life was very small.

"He lived in his own world and this put a strain on Mary as she was totally devoted to him."

The court heard how Jacob's Hunter syndrome was worsening and medical experts testified they wouldn't have known he had been smothered.

Dr Peter Jerreat, consultant forensic pathologist, carried out a post mortem, and said Jacob's airways were already constricted due to the disease.

He said: "I don't think the required pressure (to suffocate) was very great."

Professor Rupert Risdon was consultant histo-pathologist at Great Ormond Street children's hospital where Jacob's body was examined.

He said with the existing degree of obstruction caused by Hunter syndrome "it would not have taken much more for a complete obstruction and give rise to a fatal result".

Prof Risdon agreed that without Wragg's confession experts would not necessarily have known Jacob had deliberately been smothered.

The prosecution ended its case yesterday and Wragg may take the witness stand when the case resumes today.

The 999 call:

Wragg: "Do you want to get the police round to 68 Henty Close...in Worthing?"

Operator: "What is the problem?

Wragg: "I have murdered my son."

Operator: And your name is?"

Wragg: "Mr Wragg. W-R-A-G-G."

Operator: "When you say murder what do you mean?"

Wragg: "I killed him."

Operator: "How?"

Wragg: "With a pillow over the face."

Operator: "How old is he?"

Wragg: "Ten."

Operator: "Why have you done this?"

Wragg: "I don't want to comment any more. That's all you need to know."

Wragg told the operator Mary Wragg was the only other person in the house and she was safe.

Operator: "If you'd like to wait there I will get someone to come round."

Wragg: "Super. Thank you."