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Daniel Pelka murder trial: Mother 'nearly drowned' starved boy Daniel Pelka 'killed by accidental slips'
(about 2 hours later)
A man accused of starving and murdering his four-year-old stepson has told a jury how the boy's mother sent him a text message claiming she "nearly drowned" him. A man accused of murdering his four-year-old stepson has told a jury the boy's fatal head injury was caused by accidental slips at home.
Daniel Pelka died from a head injury in Coventry in March 2012. Mariusz Krezolek, 34, said Daniel Pelka fell in the kitchen and hallway of their Coventry home in March 2012.
His mother Magdelena Luczak, 27, and her partner, Mariusz Krezolek, 34, from Coventry, deny murdering him. Mr Krezolek and his partner Magdelena Luczak, 27, deny murdering the boy.
Mr Krezolek said his partner would also withhold food from Daniel as a punishment. Earlier Mr Krezolek told Birmingham Crown Court how, on another occasion, Ms Luczak sent a text message claiming she had "nearly drowned" Daniel.
The pair, who are originally from Poland, have admitted child cruelty but deny murder and causing or allowing Daniel's death.The pair, who are originally from Poland, have admitted child cruelty but deny murder and causing or allowing Daniel's death.
Speaking through a Polish interpreter, Mr Krezolek said he was at work at a factory on the morning of 2 February when Ms Luczak texted him saying: "Well now he's temporarily unconscious because I nearly drowned him. He's already in bed covered with the duvet and asleep and I am having some quiet time." Giving evidence through a Polish interpreter, Mr Krezolek told the court how, after Daniel had fallen, Ms Luczak took him upstairs for a bath.
He told the jury: "She undressed Daniel. When she started picking up his clothes, now I know this is the point at which he lost consciousness... I immediately said to Magda, 'Daniel fell down awkwardly, it's certainly not normal'."
The court had previously heard from Mr Krezolek that he fed the boy salt as a "punishment" on at least one occasion, under the instruction from his partner.
He said that Ms Luczak had also given Daniel salt on another occasion because he had asked for a drink.
Describing the episode when Daniel had collapsed, Mr Krezolek said Ms Luczak said it was "maybe because of the salt".
He added that she told him "maybe he's feeling weak, he'll be all right tomorrow".
The court has previously heard how the four-year-old was seen by paramedics early on a Saturday morning, about 36 hours after he fell in the kitchen.
'Nearly drowned him'
When asked why he did not call an ambulance straight away, Mr Krezolek said: "I was worried that Daniel was simply not responding but Magda said he would be fine... Magda was convincing me he was all right.
"He had the bruises on his legs. I remember something being said about social services, that they would get interested."
Mr Krezolek said he had wanted to take Daniel to hospital but Ms Luczak refused and threatened him if he called an ambulance.
Earlier on Tuesday Mr Krezolek told the court he was at work at a factory on the morning of 2 February when Ms Luczak texted him saying: "Well now he's temporarily unconscious because I nearly drowned him. He's already in bed covered with the duvet and asleep and I am having some quiet time."
The court heard Mr Krezolek received a second message from Ms Luczak two minutes later saying: "I won't be hitting him but if I hear him when he later wakes up then he's going back to the bathtub. I didn't let the water out."The court heard Mr Krezolek received a second message from Ms Luczak two minutes later saying: "I won't be hitting him but if I hear him when he later wakes up then he's going back to the bathtub. I didn't let the water out."
Mr Krezolek told his barrister Nigel Lambert QC he had not been allowed to make telephone calls from the factory, which makes parts for the car industry, and said he "could not call Magda and calm her down". He told his barrister, Nigel Lambert QC, he had not been allowed to make calls from his work and said he "could not call Magda and calm her down".
Mr Krezolek, who came to the UK from Poland in 2005, added: "I texted her with a short message not to hit him and give him some food so that she would have her quiet." Mr Krezolek, who came to the UK in 2005, added: "I texted her with a short message not to hit him and give him some food so that she would have her quiet."
'Big problem' Earlier, the court was told in another text Ms Luczak wrote: "We deal with Rudy [Daniel] after school. He won't see grub at all."
Earlier, the court was told that in another text message Ms Luczak wrote: "We deal with Rudy [Daniel] after school. He won't see grub at all."
Mr Krezolek said that was because Daniel "was supposed to be punished, to not get his dinner".Mr Krezolek said that was because Daniel "was supposed to be punished, to not get his dinner".
He said the punishment was Ms Luczak's idea.He said the punishment was Ms Luczak's idea.
The court was told another text message sent by Mr Krezolek to Ms Luczak said: "Take him to the room and lock him there. You'll have some peace and do wait for me."
Mr Krezolek told the court that was because "in the morning Magda had this big problem with Daniel".
He added: "Magda complained a lot that Daniel had given her a bad time. She had simply had enough of it, that's why I text her, Magda take him to his room and wait for me."
In court, Mr Krezolek admitted striking Daniel on his hand, which he said he did to stop him biting his lip.
He added: "We did not know what to do about it so sometimes we would hit him to his hands so that he wouldn't do it."
The trial continues.The trial continues.