Isabelle Welsh was found ‘gravely ill’ and covered in injuries when paramedics were called to her Teesside home on September 13 last year. Following Isabelle’s death, her mother Alexandra Walker, 25, of Hartington Close in Thornaby, and her boyfriend, Harrison Simpson, 22, of Greenham Close, Thorntree, were charged with her murder.
Isabelle Welsh
An expert witness has told a jury that toddler Isabelle Welsh’s spinal fractures could have been inflicted by a “forceful slam”. The youngster was discovered “gravely ill” and covered in injuries when paramedics were called to her Teesside home on September 13 last year.
Following Isabelle’s death, her mother Alexandra Walker, 25, of Hartington Close in Thornaby, and her boyfriend Harrison Simpson, 22, of Greenham Close, Thorntree, were charged with her murder.
The pair also face accusations of causing or allowing her death, assault by penetration between September 10 and September 14 last year, and cruelty to a person under 16. Walker and Simpson deny all of the charges against them.
On Monday, Teesside Crown Court heard expert testimony from Professor Tony Freemont, a specialist in bone fractures. He told the jury that following his examination of Isabelle’s bones, the fractures she had sustained across her body were likely deliberately inflicted and non-accidental.
The expert stated that all of Isabelle’s vertebrae were fractured, highlighting that she had suffered “crush fractures”. He said: “[They are] extremely rare fractures in children and I have never seen as many fractures of the vertebral bodies as this ever before”, reports Teesside Live.
Prosecutor Richard Wright KC questioned the professor about the potential causes of the injuries.
Prof Freemont responded: “They can occur as a consequence of loading the spine from above downwards, or from above, upwards. It would require a real forceful slam on to the bottom of the pelvis, or bending the spine forwards beyond normal limits.”
Mr Wright then asked: “Almost like folding something in half?” to which the witness replied: “Absolutely, yes.”
When Mr Wright pressed the professor on whether the injuries were accidental or non-accidental, the professor stated: “If accidental, the child would’ve had to have been in a reported incident…even then, I can’t envisage how an accident could cause this. I believe [the fractures were] inflicted.”
Turning to further fractures that Isabelle sustained to her arms and legs, the expert witness said these were equally likely to have been deliberately inflicted, caused by “twisting and pulling” of a limb, adding: “These fractures are not seen in normal activities and are not seen in boisterous play either.”
The professor further informed the jury that Isabelle’s “significant skull fracture” was also likely non-accidental. The trial continues.
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