Driver charged with baby pram death ‘threatened’ ahead of court date
Prosecutors said ‘tensions were running high’ after Easter Sunday collision
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A man accused of causing the death of a two-week-old boy by dangerous driving has been threatened with violence, a court heard.
James Paul Davis appeared in court on Tuesday after baby Ciaran Leigh Morris was killed in a collision on Brownhills High Street in Walsall on Easter Sunday.
Prosecutor Mark Cooper told Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court "tensions were running high in the commmunity" in the wake of the "tragic case", according to a report in The Sun.
Mr Cooper said there were people "wishing to attack and assault” Mr Davis and that threats had been made against him.
Mr Davis also faces charges of causing death by driving while uninsured, failing to stop at the scene of a crash and failing to report a collision.
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District Judge David Murray remanded Davis in custody to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 4 May.
Ahead of the hearing, Ciaran's parents paid an emotional tribute to their son: "We didn't get to keep you for long but we are happy we had the chance to meet you, look after you and call you our son.
"Fly high angel."
A crowdfunding appeal raising money to support the family has so far raised more than £25,000 from a £2,000 target.
Sergeant Mark Crozier, from West Midlands Police's serious collision investigation unit, said: "To see the loss of someone so young is difficult for us as officers, but we know the pain is even greater for Ciaran's family.
"We'll be doing all we can to support them while also trying to establish what happened leading to the collision."