Harrison Simpson, 22, has been jailed for life for sexually abusing and murdering his girlfriend's two-year-old daughter, Isabelle Welsh. The child's mother, Alexandra Walker, 26, was also jailed for life for murder after a trial at Teesside Crown Court.
Isabelle suffered 21 broken bones
Isabelle endured weeks of horrific abuse, including 21 broken bones, before she collapsed at her home in Thornaby, Teesside, in September. Walker and Simpson were found guilty of murder and child cruelty. Simpson was additionally convicted of sexually assaulting Isabelle, while Walker was acquitted of that charge.
The prosecution said Isabelle had been a happy, healthy child until her mother began dating Simpson last summer.
Delays in seeking medical help
Walker searched for Simpson on the sex offenders' register after she became suspicious about his behaviour, which included bathing Isabelle without her consent. Despite expressing concerns that his behaviour was "weird", she continued the relationship.
Eleven days before the fatal injuries, Walker took Isabelle to hospital with a broken leg, which raised medical suspicions. Jurors were told that Walker had delayed seeking examination by about two weeks.
When Isabelle collapsed at home and was dying, Walker again delayed calling 999. Paramedics found her covered in bruises and blood in her nappy. She died in hospital the next day, and Walker and Simpson were arrested.
Court statements
Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, 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."
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."
