THE parents of a six-week-old premature baby lied about injuries he suffered before his death, a coroner has said.

Connor Prangley suffered 19 broken bones but it was a head injury that killed him, it was ruled yesterday.

Connor was found unconscious at his home in Marlborough Gardens, Malvern, by his mother and declared dead at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester, on November 23, 2006 Connor died of acute brain swelling due to lack of blood to the brain which Worcestershire coroner Geraint Williams was told was consistent with “trauma”.

Mr Williams rejected the evidence of Connor’s parents Laura Prangley and John Hiles that their son’s 17 rib fractures were caused when Ms Prangley had an epileptic fit while holding him.

He also rejected claims that he had been born with a broken collar-bone on the evidence of experts.

Connor’s bones were broken about 10 days before his death but it was a separate incident three days before death which killed him said Dr Waney Squier, a consultant neuro-pathologist who examined his brain.

Mr Williams said: “I think Connor’s parents were quite dishonest in their evidence about the fit.

"It seems to me their explanation was a complete fabrication to try to explain the injuries.

“I find that Connor was, about 10 days before his death, savagely assaulted, causing extensive and very serious injuries.

"I do accept those injuries were not the cause of his death nor did they contribute to it.”

Mr Hiles, the child’s father, denied any involvement in Connor’s death and told the inquest such people should be “strung up”.

He said: “I wish I could tell you how he died. I can’t explain how it happened. I was really upset.

"The last thing you want is to lose a child.”

Mr Hiles denied swinging Connor by the arms, which could have caused the double collarbone fracture.

Evidence presented yesterday suggested Connor’s ribs were broken when he was squeezed with great force.

Ms Prangley, who sobbed as she gave evidence, described the moment she discovered Connor “lifeless” in her bed and screamed for her partner, John Hiles.

“We always treated him with kid gloves,” she said.

The coroner recorded an open verdict because he said the evidence was not sufficient to record a verdict of unlawful killing.

Last year the couple were cleared of child cruelty after the prosecution said either could have been responsible.