Alexandra Walker, 26, and her boyfriend Harrison Simpson, 22, have been jailed for life for the murder of two-year-old Isabelle Welsh, who was also sexually abused by Simpson. The couple, who blamed each other, were found guilty on Tuesday after subjecting the toddler to a "campaign of violence".
Isabelle collapsed at her home in Thornaby, Teesside, on September 13 last year after suffering a catastrophic head injury. She died in hospital the following day. A post-mortem revealed a fractured skull, brain damage, and sexual assault. The toddler had suffered 21 broken bones in the weeks before her murder.
Court sentencing and evidence
At Teesside Crown Court on Thursday, Walker and Simpson were sentenced to life with minimum terms of 22 and 28 years respectively. Prosecutor Richard Wright KC told the court: "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."
While Isabelle was dying at home, Walker smoked a cigarette in her kitchen and delayed calling 999, instead Googling "why would my toddler be bleeding". She first called her stepdad, and only on his instruction did she alert emergency services. Paramedics found bruises all over Isabelle's body, including to her head, neck, abdomen, back and genitalia. She was not breathing and cold to the touch.
History of abuse and neglect
During her relationship with Simpson, Walker voiced concerns he might be a paedophile and checked if he was on the sex offenders' register, but did not end the relationship. Just 11 days before her death, Isabelle was taken to hospital with a broken leg. Walker had waited two weeks to seek medical help despite the toddler being in pain. She was discharged to her mother, who showed aggression when concerns were raised.
CCTV footage from the home showed Walker was a frequent drinker and Simpson a habitual cannabis smoker. The camera also proved Isabelle suffered a broken leg while in Simpson's sole care. Walker's mother said during a visit after the leg was broken: "Looks like she is being abused."
Arrest and conviction
After Isabelle's death, Simpson declined to answer police questions and did not give evidence. Walker gave various accounts before telling police she believed her boyfriend had been abusing her daughter. Mr Wright said Walker did not protect her daughter, but "on the contrary, she delayed, she deflected and she failed to act when action was most urgently required."
A jury convicted both of murder and child cruelty. Simpson was also convicted of sexual assault; Walker was cleared of that charge. Isabelle's father Josh Welsh said: "My whole life has been shattered, my whole family. My sisters and brothers have lost their niece. It means the world to me that we have justice for Isabelle."
Kirstie Devine from the Crown Prosecution Service said the prosecution presented a raft of evidence including pathology reports, expert medical evidence, CCTV, and records of text messages and phone conversations. Detective Chief Inspector Steve Chatterton of Cleveland Police said: "Isabelle suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of the very people who should have loved her, cared for her and protected her. Her life was cruelly taken in the most tragic and heartbreaking circumstances."
