Prosecutors Allege Toddler Died Following Months of Abuse

Prosecutors have stated that a toddler died following months of physical abuse inflicted by his stepfather. Teesside Crown Court was informed that Charlie Roberts, aged 22 months, collapsed at his Darlington residence in January due to a “catastrophic” head injury. Christopher Stockton, 38, has entered pleas of not guilty to charges of murder and child abuse, concurrently, Charlie’s mother, Paula Roberts, 41, denies child neglect. It is alleged that Ms Roberts purchased a spy camera due to worries regarding Mr Stockton and her son, but she reportedly did not undertake additional measures to safeguard the child. During the trial’s opening, prosecutor Nicholas Lumley KC stated that Charlie, described as being able to “walk and talk,” sustained numerous injuries in the period leading up to his death and had experienced “cruelly neglected.” Mr. Lumley recounted that Mr. Stockton contacted 999 on the morning of January 12, shortly after being left alone with Charlie in a “trusted position of responsibility,” reporting that the boy had become “lifeless and floppy.” Mr. Lumley indicated that Mr. Stockton informed paramedics he thought Charlie had been choking on a biscuit; however, subsequent investigations following the child’s death revealed that this could “not have been” the case. According to Mr. Lumley, Charlie passed away the next day at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary due to the “catastrophic effects of a head injury,” having been “shaken or thrown with such violence.” Ms. Roberts, employed at an indoor climbing facility in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, commenced a relationship with Mr. Stockton in January 2023. Mr. Lumley stated that Mr. Stockton frequently visited her residence on Frosterley Drive in Darlington, first encountering Charlie in March. The court was informed that nursery personnel first observed bruises on Charlie’s head in April, and in May, the toddler was hospitalized with bruises covering his face, with Ms. Roberts informing medical professionals that her son had fallen. Mr. Lumley reported that social services conducted an investigation but determined the injuries to be accidental. The court heard that additional bruising was observed on Charlie by family and friends in the subsequent months, and by late August 2023, Ms. Roberts had installed a spy camera above her son’s cot, yet she took no additional steps. Mr. Lumley asserted that there were “too many incidents of bruising for it not to have been the result of neglect,” further stating that anyone residing with Charlie held “criminal responsibility” for the events that transpired. The court was told that Ms. Roberts claimed bruises and lumps resulted from Charlie falling out of bed and that she had told “lies” about transporting him to the hospital when she had not. She additionally informed relatives that her son would injure himself during sleep-walking, though a medical expert stated that pre-school children do “not as a rule sleep-walk,” according to Mr. Lumley. It was disclosed to the court that Mr. Stockton relocated into Ms. Roberts’ residence on January 5. She entrusted her son to his care around 08:45 GMT on January 12, as she attended an optician’s appointment. Merely 18 minutes subsequently, Mr. Stockton contacted 999 to report Charlie had lost consciousness. Mr. Lumley asserted, “In a very short time, for that is all it takes to lose one’s temper, [Mr Stockton] must have assaulted Charlie by shaking or throwing him with considerable force,” further noting that while it might have been “quickly and bitterly regretted,” it was “no accident.” During the call, which lasted over five minutes, Mr. Stockton was audible saying “come on little man,” “wakey wakey,” and “cough it up,” prior to seemingly administering CPR to Charlie under the guidance of the call-handler. The court was also informed that he repeatedly coughed and stated he would “pass out” himself due to having a cold. Mr. Lumley indicated that the jury would need to evaluate Mr. Stockton’s tone, posing the question: “Was he more concerned at times for his own health?” He mentioned that Mr. Stockton denied responsibility for Charlie’s death, and both parents would assert that his bruises were accidental, stemming from “everyday occurrences.” The trial, projected to extend for as long as five weeks, is ongoing.