The trial of Alexandra Simpson and Harrison Simpson, who are accused of the murder of two-year-old Isabelle Rose Welsh, continues at Teesside Crown Court. The prosecution alleges that the couple inflicted a massive head injury on the toddler, leading to her death.
Isabelle was found lying lifeless at the foot of the stairs at the home she shared with her mother, Alexandra Walker, in Thornaby, Teesside, last September. The prosecution claims that the toddler's skull was fractured, her brain was injured, and her heart stopped as a result of the assault.
The couple had been together for barely three months before Isabelle's death. Simpson became a regular visitor to Walker's home, spending a significant amount of time with the toddler. However, the court heard that the couple had an 'unhealthy' relationship, which was plagued by drink and drug use, and led to a decline in Isabelle's care.
Jurors heard that Isabelle suffered a broken leg towards the end of August, but it was 11 days before her mother sought medical treatment. Walker took Isabelle to the family GP, who referred them to the accident and emergency department at North Tees Hospital on September 2. However, the mother's response was described as 'aggressive' and 'concerning' by medical staff.
Isabelle was admitted to the hospital, but 'differences of opinion' between the paediatric and orthopaedic teams meant that the toddler was discharged back to her mother the next day. Tragically, Isabelle was readmitted to the hospital 10 days later, having sustained a fatal head injury.
The prosecution claims that Walker and Simpson had ample opportunity to harm Isabelle and were aware of the abuse. Despite apparent concerns about Simpson's interactions with the toddler, Walker left Isabelle alone with Simpson the evening before her death.
The trial continues, with the prosecution set to present further evidence. The court will hear that Walker searched the sex offenders register in Middlesbrough weeks before Isabelle's death and that she referred to Simpson as a 'paedo' in messages to her mother.
The prosecution will argue that Walker and Simpson's failure to seek medical assistance for Isabelle was an act of self-preservation, as they knew the questions that would come and had no convincing answer for them.
