A mother and her new partner have been found guilty of murdering her two-year-old daughter. Toddler Isabelle Welsh sustained 21 broken bones in the weeks leading up to her collapse at her Thornaby home last September.
Alexandra Walker, 26, and Harrison Simpson, 22, had been on trial at Teesside Crown Court after pleading not guilty to several charges. At 12.50pm on Tuesday, 28 July, a jury found both guilty of murder. The pair were also convicted of child cruelty. Simpson was found guilty of sexually assaulting the toddler, while Walker was cleared of that charge.
Walker rose in the dock wearing a white blouse and black jacket, while Simpson was dressed in a grey fleece. Neither displayed any emotion as the verdicts were delivered.
Catastrophic head injury
Isabelle Welsh sustained a "catastrophic head injury" which resulted in bleeding on the brain, the trial heard. She became "floppy and unresponsive" on September 13, while with her mother at her Thornaby home, reports Teesside Live. Simpson had been caring for Isabelle that morning, before going out in the afternoon.
Walker rang for an ambulance at 4.15pm. Isabelle was found to have suffered 21 bone fractures – including fractures to her arms, leg, spine and skull. She also had an earlier injury which had caused bruising to her brain. Bruises covered her face, abdomen and legs. The toddler died in hospital on September 14.
Blame and relationship timeline
While speaking to a nurse, during her police interview and throughout the trial, her mother blamed her new partner for the injuries. The couple had connected several months prior on Facebook dating, with the jury learning that Simpson began staying overnight with Walker and Isabelle just six weeks before the toddler's death.
Walker claimed Simpson, who smoked cannabis, must have hurt Isabelle and sexually abused the little girl while she was out at hospital appointments or at the local shop. The single mother insisted she had been completely unaware that her new partner was physically abusing or sexually assaulting Isabelle. Simpson chose not to give evidence during the trial.
Sentencing and family statement
Simpson, of Greenham Close in Thorntree, and Walker, of Hartington Close, Thornaby, will be sentenced on Thursday July 30. Both were held in custody until that date. Ms Justice Norton informed the court: "The sentence for murder is life imprisonment and that is the sentence I will be passing. A judge is required to set out what is called a minimum term. That is time a defendant must serve in custody before they are eligible for consideration for release."
After the verdicts, Isabelle's family released a statement saying: "Isabelle should have had her whole life ahead of her, but she was taken from us in the most heartbreaking way. She was so loved and our lives will never be the same without her. Whilst today's verdicts cannot undo the pain caused or bring Isabelle back, it does mean justice has been served. We will remember Isabelle forever and ask for privacy as we continue to grieve as a family."
Police and CPS reaction
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Chatterton, 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. She should have had a lifetime of opportunities ahead of her. Instead, Walker and Simpson robbed Isabelle of her future and deprived her family of watching her grow up and achieve those milestones that so many take for granted. Today, Walker and Simpson have been held accountable for their actions. While no outcome can ever undo the immense loss suffered by Isabelle's family, I hope this result provides some measure of justice and helps them as they continue to come to terms with their devastating loss. Our thoughts remain firmly with Isabelle's loved ones. I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to this investigation. Throughout what has been an exceptionally distressing and challenging case, they showed unwavering professionalism, compassion and determination in ensuring that justice was secured for Isabelle. I'm also grateful for the expertise of the Crown Prosecution Service in securing this conviction."
Kirstie Devine, District Crown Prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Isabelle Welsh would be alive today if it wasn't for the shocking violence she suffered at the hands of her mother and her mother's boyfriend. Alexandra Walker and Harrison Simpson subjected her to appalling abuse and did not seek medical treatment for Isabelle even when it was clear she was extremely unwell. During her evidence, Walker repeatedly claimed she never hurt Isabelle and wasn't aware of Simpson doing so. However, Walker only called 999 when told to do so by a family member but sadly, nothing could be done to save Isabelle, and she died a few hours later. The prosecution presented a raft of evidence including pathology reports, expert medical evidence, CCTV from the home, records of text messages and phone conversations that showed only the two adults who were regularly with Isabelle could have harmed her. I thank the jury for sitting through a very difficult trial and the public can rest assured that they now face many years in prison. I also thank colleagues from Cleveland Police for their dedication to the investigation of Isabelle's death and the subsequent partnership working between police and CPS to secure the convictions achieved today."
