WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT The heartbroken loved ones of a baby who died after he was violently shaken by his father have revealed their grief in court, saying their family has been “changed forever”. Ashley John McGregor shook 19-day-old Alvin in a moment of frustration, then did nothing as the little one’s health deteriorated for almost two days. The injured infant had a swollen upper lip, could not open his left eye, and seemed drowsy and unable to feed properly following his father’s act of violence. Neither McGregor nor Alvin’s mum Rebecca Lea Denton sought medical treatment for their son, even though both knew he had suffered serious injuries. McGregor pretended he had accidentally knocked over the baby’s bassinet to cover up his brutal act, which happened on April 21, 2021. Alvin died on the morning of April 23 that year. McGregor was found guilty of manslaughter and criminal neglect in his son’s death by South Australian District Court Judge Paul Muscat last month. Judge Muscat concluded McGregor shook Alvin because he was “unable to deal with” the baby crying for 10 minutes. Camera Icon Ashley John McGregor caused the death of his 19-day-old baby boy Alvin in April 2021. Supplied Credit: Supplied “I find this resulted in the defendant losing control of his emotions and reacting inappropriately and instantly through his frustration in not being able to settle Alvin’s crying,” Judge Muscat said in his verdict. McGregor’s case returned to court on Wednesday, with other members of Alvin’s family fronting up to air their grief during proceedings. Alvin’s grandmother said she could not bear to think of the little baby’s pain before he died. “Ashley knows what he did to him,” she said. “Alvin was innocent, defenceless and just beginning his journey in this world. “He should still be here. We should be watching him grow, smile and feel the love of family that was so ready to surround him with care. “Instead we are left with silence, grief and an emptiness that will never fully go away. “No mother should have to bury her child, no grandparent should have to watch their own child suffer the loss of theirs. “Our family has been changed forever.” Denton - who has pleaded guilty to criminal neglect in her son’s death - also spoke in court, saying she would never forgive McGregor. “It’s been four years since you took him from me and the pain is still as excruciating as the day the nurses told me he was gone,” she said. Camera Icon Baby Alvin suffered traumatic injuries when McGregor shook him. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia “I will forever be left wondering what my baby boy would have been like, what his voice would have sounded like, what his personality would have been like, or how close he would have been like with his big brother.” Judge Rauf Soulio sentenced Denton at the District Court in February last year. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Soulio said Alvin’s breathing on the afternoon of April 21 was “rattly”, and in the night he was unsettled and he let out a “loud squealing cry, as if in pain”. Denton heard her baby boy make “chesty, gargling” noises at about 4.30am on April 23 but did not try to wake him, Judge Soulio said. She found him “cold and unresponsive” in his bassinet about two hours later, and medical staff were unable to revive him when she and McGregor sought treatment, the court was told. Medical staff noted bruising to his back, spine, and under his left eye, Judge Soulio said. A post-mortem on Alvin found blunt cerebral trauma to be the cause of his death. Judge Soulio said there was no suggestion Denton caused any of Alvin’s injuries, but she did fail to secure medical help for him. “Knowing that he had been injured, that his condition was deteriorating … you failed to provide or obtain medical care,” he said. The court was told Denton used marijuana during Alvin’s pregnancy and McGregor had suggested Alvin’s changes could be explained by cannabis withdrawal. Camera Icon Alvin’s mother Rebecca Denton pleaded guilty to criminal neglect in the death of Alvin. NewsWire / Ben Clark Credit: News Corp Australia Denton blew cannabis smoke into the infant’s face. She was sentenced to four-and-a-half years’ jail with a non-parole period of two-and-a-half years. Denton was ordered to serve her sentence in home detention. McGregor, bald and sporting a black shirt, was silent and showed no emotion as he sat in the dock throughout Wednesday’s proceedings. The court was told McGregor had not expressed any remorse or contrition for killing Alvin. McGregor is appealing his manslaughter and criminal neglect convictions. Prosecutor Michael Foundas said McGregor’s treatment of Alvin was a “very serious example of manslaughter in all of the circumstances”. “This man knew full well there was something wrong because he caused it, and then he tries to cover up it up, with no attention or care for the welfare of that child,” he said. Judge Muscat said a “very substantial period” in jail was warranted. “The paramount sentencing consideration is the protection and safety of the community - that means protecting babies from being shaken by their parents or caregivers,” he said. McGregor is due to be sentenced on May 7.