Mum admits neglecting son before alleged murder

A pistillate whose 22-month-old lad was allegedly murdered by her fellow has admitted kid neglect.

Paula Roberts, 41, was connected proceedings on with Christopher Stockton, 38, implicit the decease of Charlie Roberts successful Darlington successful January.

She had denied kid cruelty done neglect but changed her plea astatine Teesside Crown Court, and present admits she failed to get her lad aesculapian attraction for assorted injuries helium had suffered successful the weeks earlier his death.

Mr Stockton denies execution and kid maltreatment and his proceedings continues.

Prosecutors antecedently told jurors Charlie had suffered a fig of injuries successful the weeks earlier his death, which they claimed were caused by Mr Stockton.

They included bruising to his ear, which aesculapian experts said was highly apt to person been caused accidentally, and an wounded to his backstage parts.

Mr Stockton denies immoderate wrongdoing.

Roberts admitted kid neglect connected the ground she failed to get aesculapian attraction for the injuries betwixt December 2023 and January 2024.

The tribunal heard Mr Stockton and Roberts started a narration successful aboriginal 2023 and helium was acting arsenic a stepfather for Charlie, having moved into the family's location connected Frosterley Drive.

On 13 January, 18 minutes aft Charlie was near successful his sole care, Mr Stockton called 999 to accidental the lad had collapsed.

He claimed Charlie had been choking connected a biscuit but scans revealed helium had suffered catastrophic and unsurvivable caput injuries which prosecutors said had been caused by him being violently shaken oregon having his caput banged.

Roberts volition beryllium sentenced astatine a aboriginal day and was granted bail.

Judge Mr Justice Goss said it was a "serious offence" and each options would beryllium unfastened to him, including contiguous custody.