The mother of a toddler who died after suffering fatal head injuries just minutes after she had left home had recently installed a ‘spy camera’ in the boy’s bedroom, a court heard.
Christopher Stockton is accused of murdering Charlie Roberts after the youngster suffered a bleed on the brain consistent with shaking or throwing.
Teesside Crown Court heard how Charlie’s mother, Paula Roberts, was so concerned about the relationship between her boyfriend and son that she put the ‘spy camera’ in his bedroom.
A recording of Stockton’s 999 call to emergency services was played to the jury where the accused can be heard saying that Charlie wasn’t breathing properly after he had choked on something.
Charlie died the day after the incident at their home in Frosterley Drive, Darlington, on Friday, January 12, which left him critically injured.
Nicholas Lumley KC, prosecuting, said there was no evidence of anything being stuck in the toddler’s airways and hospital medics were soon able to identify the cause of Charlie’s ailing health.
He said: "Christopher Stockton told them that he had choked on a biscuit but had appeared to recover before he then stopped breathing.
"The paramedic looked into Charlie’s mouth, using a special device to check his airways; there was nothing there, nothing in or obstructing his airways."
Mr Lumley told the jury that Charlie’s mother had left home at 8.45am to attend an appointment and by just after 9am Stockton was on the phone to emergency services and had been home alone with the toddler.
He said: “In a very short time, for that is all it takes to lose one’s temper, he must have assaulted Charlie by shaking or throwing him with considerable force.
"What happened to Charlie once his mother had closed the door on him was no accident, much as it may have been quickly and bitterly regretted, it was no accident."
Outlining the couple’s relationship, Mr Lumley said it became rocky in early August last year but they resolved to try to stay together.
He added: "At the very end of August 2023, Paula Roberts bought a ‘spy camera’. She installed the camera in Charlie’s room because, she told her brother at least, she was concerned about Christopher Stockton and Charlie.
"In December 2023, a series of images show an injury to Charlie’s penis."
The barrister warned the jurors that the images were of a very sensitive nature.
Jurors are told how Charlie had suffered a number of injuries in the days leading up to his death in January this year.
Mr Lumley said: "We emphasise that the prosecution does not say that Paula Roberts caused Charlie’s death, although that was the natural concern, which caused her to be arrested in that way.
"It is only on considering the wider pattern of injuries to Charlie over the weeks and months that she is charged, as she now is, with neglect."
The 38-year-old and the child’s mother, 41-year-old Roberts, are both charged with neglect. The pair both deny the charge.
Addressing the jury, Mr Lumley said: "The charge of murder requires the prosecution to prove that Christopher Stockton caused Charlie’s death and that, in shaking or throwing him in the way he must have done, he intended to cause Charlie really serious harm.
"It may well be that he intended, at that moment, to kill Charlie but the prosecution does not need to prove that.
"Christopher Stockton’s case is that he simply did not cause Charlie’s death.
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"In respect of the cruelty allegations, the neglecting of Charlie over the weeks and months in a way which expose him to harm, Christopher Stockton will deny harming or neglecting Charlie.
"Paula Roberts will contend that any marks or injuries were the result of everyday existence, were certainly not inflicted by her and were, more often than not, brought to the attention of others by her."
Stockton remains remanded in custody while Roberts, of Darlington, has been released on conditional bail during proceedings.
The trial continues.
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