​A young dad who left his newborn daughter severely brain damaged had tried to score drugs just hours earlier, saying that his night alone with her was "going to be f***ing stressful".

Jurors at Canterbury Crown Court where Thomas Holford is on trial for the murder of Everleigh Stroud were told yesterday (June 17) of a number of messages Thomas Holford sent on the evening of April 20, 2021, to someone ​called "Milo" and who was known to supply him with cannabis.

At the time​ of the communication, the then 20-year-old had sole care of the tot overnight at the family home in Ramsgate while her 16-year-old mum, Casey Stroud, stayed at a friend's house on what was the eve of her 17th birthday.

It was ​when the teen mum return​ed to the property in Wallwood Road at around 9am the following morning that she discovered Everleigh to be seriously ill and an ambulance was called.

While she went to hospital with the youngster, Holford remained at the house where he was spoken to by police.

During their conversations, which were recorded by the officers' body​-worn cameras, he could be seen using his phone to download games, ​as well as send and receive messages and answer calls from his girlfriend.

A subsequent download of ​the device revealed that as well as talking about Everleigh's condition and the fact she had been diagnosed with a bleed on the brain, they discussed police being in their home and ​to "not smoke wee​d".

One message, sent a​round 10 minutes before his arrest​ that morning, Holford also told Casey he "understood" if she did not want him in her life any longer.

Holford, ​now 24​ and from Danbury in Essex, denies murder and assault causing actual bodily harm but has admitted manslaughter.

The prosecution case is that the youngster suffered her head injury, together with multiple ​leg and rib fractures and three anal tears, during one episode of violence that increased in severity.

Although inflicted when she was five weeks old, it was not until 13 months later ​on May ​27, 2022​, that Everleigh, who had been left severely disabled, died after ​her condition rapidly deteriorated and doctors took the decision to withdraw life support.

Holford, who had initially been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and child cruelty before being released on bail, was then re-arrested in June 2022 and bailed again before being charged with murder in late summer last year and remanded in custody.

It was following his first arrest on the morning of April 21, 2021, that his phone was analysed and the messages discovered.

A number were read to the jury, including the one sent by Holford to Milo ​at about 7.45pm the previous evening asking: "Don't suppose you can strap (buy on tick) me anything as I've got little one on my own tonight. Going to be f***ing stressful."

He then added "It can be dust for all I care mate".

However, ​the court heard Milo replied to say he could not help out.

​A small amount of cannabis and a grinder was however found by police on a bedroom table next to a baby's bottle of milk, although Holford said he had last used the drug at about 10am on the day before his daughter was found with her injuries.

A subsequent urine sample test revealed a high concentration of the breakdown product of the class B drug in his system but, although indicative of a regular user, the prosecution said it was not possible to ascertain how much had been smoked or when.

The jury also had read to them the messages between Holford and Casey as their daughter was taken to Margate's QEQM Hospital for emergency treatment.

When paramedics and police had arrived at the family home shortly before 9.30am, only Casey and her mum Kelly Stroud were downstairs with Everleigh.

Holford, who had been woken by Casey on discovering their daughter's condition, was believed to be still upstairs in the bedroom they shared.

It was at 9.38am - the same time the ambulance left to take Everleigh to hospital accompanied by her mum - that Holford messaged his girlfriend to ask about his vape.

Her reply read: "Don't smoke weed yet. The Feds (police) are in the living room. They are asking my mum questions."

Having then told him his vape was in the hall, Holford answered: "I haven't dw (don't worry). But there is stuff all upstairs and we will talk about it when we get back from all this.

"I'm sorry I don't understand how it's happened. I didn't mean to snap but can you understand why?

"Because I had two people asking me a number of questions before even opening my eyes.

"I love you both. Be brave for me and I'll walk over as soon as possible."

The court heard Casey then messaged him with instructions to "make sure you get the smoking stuff now, if that's ok, and put it in a box", adding "Just say you are going to the toilet if they ask".

Holford confirmed that he would, before again expressing his love.

It was at 10.02am that he then received a message from the young mum saying Everleigh was having a seizure, blood tests and "serious medical intervention".

Holford replied: "That's not good, bless her heart, and I'm glad it's being taken seriously. Though imagine, if it wasn't, I would be screaming on the phone."

He then added "I love you, you are both so brave" before asking "How is she now?"

When told by Casey that Everleigh might have an infection or a bleed on the brain, Holford replied: "Oh s**t" before suggesting she mentions the baby had had "greeny colour poo" and asking to be kept updated.

He next heard from his girlfriend that Everleigh had been "put to sleep" and was going to have a blood transfusion.

There was then further messaging between Holford and Casey's mum, in which she too told him Everleigh had a bleed on the brain.

He then told Casey he had been questioned by police, that "CSI (crime scene investigators) are going to take photos" and that he was "going to figure out a way to see you when I can though".

The court heard it was at 11.54am - 11 minutes before his arrest - that he messaged her again to say: "Also, if you don't want me in your life anymore, I understand.

​"We can talk as mates if it makes you more comfortable.​ I mean, I'm not happy. I love you angel and I miss you both so much."

​While in police custody in April 2021, Holford was described as being "calm and co-operative" and, when assessed by a mental health expert, as "engaging well with good eye contact".

The court heard he told the specialist liaison and diversion practitioner that he was "surprised at being treated so well since arrest".

He also spoke of suffering vacant episodes whereby he would "get lost in snippets of time, almost like I wasn't there".

Holford, who has no previous convictions or cautions, added that although he "had tried every drug you can think of", only cannabis seemed to manage such episodes.

But he could not recall the last time he had experienced one.

Furthermore, he told the expert he was "ready to sort his head out" and, in respect of his arrest and the allegations, "could see a way through this".

It is the prosecution case that Everleigh was shaken "excessively and severely" by Holford, with cause of death subsequently given as old and severe brain injury, in-keeping with non-accidental, abusive trauma.

A medical expert in child abuse also told the court when giving evidence last week (June 12) that her anal tears would have required "at least moderate" force to be inflicted, and ruled out the possibility that they could have occurred by Holford accidentally penetrating his daughter with his finger while cleaning her bottom.

Dr Ewa Wolska said it was her opinion that such an action was more likely to cause some redness or very superficial injury, and was incapable of resulting in the "significant" lacerations Everleigh sustained.

Furthermore, jurors heard although the newborn had been described by her family as being "constipated", she had no history of passing unusually large or hard stools, or of bleeding from that area of her body.

But Dr Wolska added that while the injuries were "strongly suggestive of penetrative trauma", and would have been "very painful", she could not identify the object used.

She also agreed during cross-examination by Jo Martin KC, defending, that it would have been possible to inflict the tears with an adult male finger, on a single occasion, in a very quick, in and out motion, and to a minimal depth.

However, when questioned by prosecutor Eloise Marshall KC, Dr Wolska said although penetration itself - accidental or otherwise - would be "easy", it required "some force to cause an injury".

The trial continues.