A grandmother told Teesside Crown Court she exclaimed “what the hell” when she discovered a bruise on her two-year-old granddaughter’s back just days before the toddler was allegedly murdered by her mother and her boyfriend. Isabelle Welsh died after suffering a “massive head injury” at her home in Thornaby, Teesside, from which she could not be saved, jurors have heard. The prosecution claims the child was physically and sexually abused by her mother, Alexandra Walker, 25, and Harrison Simpson, 22, before her death.
Grandmother's testimony
In a police interview played to the court, maternal grandmother Claire Walker described Isabelle as a chatty and intelligent child who had generally been in good health until she sustained a broken leg, for which she received hospital treatment. That injury occurred 11 days before the fatal head injury, jurors were told. After mother and toddler were discharged, the grandmother visited and noticed a bruise on Isabelle’s back. She told detectives she said “what the hell” upon seeing it. Walker said her daughter explained that Isabelle had bumped her head on the settee. The grandmother also believed Isabelle had picked up a virus from the hospital, which accounted for her unwell appearance.
Relationship with the boyfriend
Giving evidence from behind a screen, Ms Walker told Mark McKone KC, representing her daughter, that she had never met Simpson, who had been dating Walker for several months. Ms Walker said her daughter explained that Simpson “had anxiety and didn’t want to meet with me.” She added that her daughter had been a victim of domestic abuse in the past, which was why she had CCTV cameras installed in her home. The grandmother stated she had never seen her daughter hit Isabelle, describing the toddler as “always immaculately dressed” and the house as always clean. When asked by Mr McKone if her daughter loved Isabelle, Ms Walker replied: “I think she did.”
Stepfather's account
Stepfather Daniel Ackroyd told police he received a panicked phone call from Walker after Isabelle collapsed. He rushed to the house and performed first aid on the toddler until paramedics arrived. In court, Mr McKone asked: “Do you agree Alex worshipped Isabelle?” Mr Ackroyd said: “I do agree with that.” He described Walker as “visibly shaking” when he arrived and said he dropped to the floor to help Isabelle. Asked if Walker was very distressed, Mr Ackroyd replied: “Yes sir, very.”
The trial continues.
