Man Accused of Murder Moved in with Partner’s Son Days Before Child’s Death

A court has heard that a man accused of murdering his partner’s infant son moved into the family’s residence one week prior to the boy’s death. Charlie Roberts, 22 months old, sustained a fatal head injury at his home in Darlington on January 12, as revealed at Teesside Crown Court. Christopher Stockton, 38, had been in a relationship with Charlie’s mother, Paula Roberts, 41, for approximately a year and had relocated to their home seven days before Charlie was injured. Mr. Stockton has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and child cruelty, while Ms. Roberts has denied a charge of child neglect. The court was previously informed that Mr. Stockton contacted 999 shortly after 09:00 GMT on January 12, reporting that Charlie was choking and had lost consciousness. Charlie was transported to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, where scans detected significant bleeding around his brain, which ultimately led to his death the following day, according to court testimony. On Thursday, jurors were presented with dozens of messages exchanged between Mr. Stockton, Ms. Roberts, and various relatives and friends in the months leading up to Charlie’s death. In one message, Mr. Stockton stated that Charlie had hit him, prompting him to place the toddler in the “naughty corner,” with an accompanying picture showing the boy standing in the corner of a room facing the wall. The court heard that Mr. Stockton moved into Ms. Roberts’ home on Frosterley Drive on January 5 to recuperate after being diagnosed with pneumonia. On January 7, Mr. Stockton’s mother took Charlie out for the day to a soft-play centre. In her messages, she described Charlie as a “happy little boy” who was a “pleasure to have.” Later that week, Charlie was admitted to hospital after reportedly falling out of bed and hitting his head, the court heard. He had a bruise by his ear and was vomiting, and a doctor informed jurors that the bruised ear was unlikely to have been caused accidentally. Jurors also heard messages in which Mr. Stockton’s mother urged him to seriously consider his relationship with Ms. Roberts and decide whether to fully commit to it, as Charlie was becoming attached to him. The trial continues.