A mother and her boyfriend are on trial accused of murdering a two-year-old girl who prosecutors say suffered weeks of violence before her death.
Teesside Crown Court heard that Isabelle Rose Welsh died in September last year after allegedly sustaining a “massive head injury.” Prosecutors claim the toddler had been subjected to a prolonged pattern of abuse before her final collapse at a property in Thornaby, Teesside.
Isabelle’s mother, Alexandra Walker, 25, and Walker’s boyfriend, Harrison Simpson, 21, deny allegations connected to the child’s death. They are on trial accused of murder, causing or allowing the death of a child, assault by penetration of a child under 13, and child cruelty.
Prosecutors Say Isabelle Suffered a Fatal Head Injury
Opening the case, prosecutor Richard Wright KC told the jury that emergency services were called to the property on Saturday, September 13, after a report of a sick child.
Paramedics arrived within one minute and found Isabelle at the foot of the stairs. She was on her back, covered in bruises, and had no pulse, the court heard.
Mr Wright told jurors that Isabelle’s death was not caused by natural illness.
“She died because shortly before her terminal collapse somebody had inflicted a massive head injury upon her,” he said.
The prosecutor said Isabelle’s skull had been fractured, her brain had been injured, and her heart stopped as a result of the assault.
“This Was No Accident,” Court Told
The court heard that prosecutors believe Isabelle had been violently shaken and that her head had struck a hard surface, such as a wall or floor.
“This was no accident,” Mr Wright told the jury. “It was the deliberate infliction of injury on that little girl. It was murder.”
According to the prosecution, Walker called an ambulance only after her stepfather told her to, even though Isabelle allegedly appeared to be dead.
Mr Wright said the failure to seek help earlier was part of what prosecutors describe as an attempt at self-preservation.
“They knew the questions that would come and had no convincing answer for them,” he said.
Earlier Leg Injury Raised Concerns
The court was told that 11 days before Isabelle died, Walker took her daughter to a GP and then to hospital because the child had been complaining of pain in her leg.
Prosecutors said Walker had waited two weeks before seeking medical attention. Isabelle’s leg was found to be fractured.
The jury heard that despite concerns from some medical staff, Isabelle was discharged back into her mother’s care after an account of accidental injury was apparently accepted.
Mr Wright told the court that prosecutors do not accept that explanation.
He said the leg fracture was “no more of an accident than the fatal head injury that killed her.”
Post-Mortem Examination Found Multiple Injuries
After Isabelle’s death, specialists examined her body and found multiple fractures, the court heard.
Prosecutors said the toddler had injuries to 21 bones, including her arms, legs, and vertebrae in her spine.
The court was also told that Isabelle had bruising and injuries which prosecutors say were consistent with sexual assault.
Mr Wright said: “For weeks this child had been violently assaulted and her death, by that terrible head injury, was simply the end point in that campaign of violence to which she had been subjected.”
Mother and Boyfriend Had Known Each Other for Less Than Four Months
The court heard that Walker and Simpson had known each other for less than four months at the time of Isabelle’s death.
Prosecutors said Simpson had soon begun spending a lot of time at Walker’s house and was regularly in the company of Isabelle.
Mr Wright told jurors that both defendants, who spent significant time together at the small property, must have been aware of the alleged abuse.
He alleged that they failed to report it because prosecutors say each of them was responsible for inflicting it.
Messages and CCTV Referenced in Court
The jury was also told that CCTV cameras at Walker’s property captured interactions between the defendants and Isabelle.
Messages between Walker and her mother were also discussed in court. According to the prosecution, one exchange suggested Simpson had become upset because of a comment referring to him as a “paedophile.”
Mr Wright said it appeared Walker had said something to Simpson about him being a paedophile.
In another message, Walker reportedly told her mother that Simpson only wanted to spend time with both her and Isabelle, rather than Walker alone.
“It’s weird,” Walker allegedly wrote.
Her mother replied: “What’s weird? You come as a package.”
Trial Continues
Walker and Simpson remain on trial at Teesside Crown Court.
The allegations against them have not yet been proven in court, and the jury will be asked to decide the case after hearing all the evidence.
At the center of the trial is the death of Isabelle Rose Welsh, a two-year-old girl whom prosecutors say suffered repeated violence before sustaining the fatal injury that ended her life.
