A medical expert has dismissed the claims of a County Durham couple accused of being involved in the serious injury of a child.

Alex and Gemma Richardson deny deliberately causing any of multiple injuries that the child was discovered to have suffered when he was taken to hospital.

Initially the child was being treated for a suspected broken leg but medics became concerned about their welfare when they were carrying out checks on them, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Tim Ubhi told jurors that the fractures were consistent with ‘inflicted’ injuries than ones caused accidentally in day-to-day activities.

It was discovered that the child had suffered a fractured skull, a broken collar bone, a spinal injury, and a broken arm before they were treated for a broken leg at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The specialist doctor said: “There were at least two events that resulted in the injuries caused to the child.”

Anthony Pettengell, prosecuting, asked the doctor if the explanations he was given about the injuries were possible.

Dr Ubhi said: “The first explanation I was given about how the injury was caused was not possible at all.

“That was then retracted and other explanations were offered, none of which do I feel provided me with any explanation that was reasonable.

“The child had a constellation of injuries that were highly suspicious as being inflicted.”

Earlier in the trial, Dr Caren Landes, a consultant paediatric radiologist, told jurors that none of the injuries were consistent with day-to-day activities of a child and showed signs on ‘inflicted’ injuries.

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The medical expert confirmed that the leg fracture was consistent with a ‘twisting motion’ and not an impact.

The pair, from Westwood View, Sacriston, County Durham, are both charged with having caused or allowed a child to suffer serious physical harm.

Alex Richardson, 29, is also charged with a section 18 offence - unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to a child with intent to do them grievous bodily harm.

They deny all charges and the trial continues.