Intimidation claim over child's gran

Apr 21 2005 By James Cartledge

THE father of a toddler allegedly murdered by her mother has been locked up.

Gary McGann, aged 23, of Malthouse Grove, Yardley, was remanded in custody when he appeared before magistrates in the Black Country charged with witness intimidation.

McGann's daughter, 18-month-old Jordan McGann, died last August.

The child's mother, Sarah Collins, 24, and her 25-yearold boyfriend, Darren Bennett, have denied murdering her and are due to stand trial later this year.

The charges facing McGann relate to an alleged street incident involving Collins' mother in Smethwick last Saturday.

He was arrested the same day and charged over the weekend.

After appearing before Warley magistrates on Monday he was remanded to Blakenhurst Prison, near Redditch.

McGann's partner, mother-of-two Debbie Carter, aged 32, said McGann, a builder, was still mourning the loss of his daughter.

"He's not been back to work since Jordan died. He's still in bits and he's suffered enough," she said.

Speaking about his daughter last year, McGann said: "It just doesn't seem real. She was so happy and healthy," he said.

"She loved music and was always dancing.

"Jordan loved ducks and bathtime and when I came home from work, she would jump in the bath.

"She would have had a good education and I was saving money so that when she got older she didn't have to struggle."

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman confirmed that McGann had been charged and had appeared before magistrates.

james_cartledge@mrn.co.uk