An eye specialist has told the jury in a murder trial that a toddler’s retinal bleeds could not have been caused accidentally.

Charlie Roberts died the day after he suffered fatal head injuries just minutes after his mother set off for an appointment at the opticians.

The toddler was left in the care of Christopher Stockton, the partner of Charlie’s mother Paula, before he fell seriously ill.

The Darlington toddler was taken to the children’s hospital in Newcastle as medics battled to safe his young life.

Christopher Stockton, left, with Charlie Roberts and his mother, PaulaChristopher Stockton, left, with Charlie Roberts and his mother, Paula (Image: Facebook)

Alan Connor, a Consultant Ophthalmologist at the RVI hospital in Newcastle, examined Charlie's eyes when he arrived at the hospital and found multiple bleeds at the rear of the toddler's left and right eye.

He told the jury that scans revealed up to 60 haemorrhages which could only be spotted using specialist optical equipment.

Nicholas Lumley KC, prosecuting, asked Mr Connor what he believed could have caused the injuries that he discovered to the toddler’s eyes.

“The examination I was performing showed these haemorrhages were consistent with non-accidental injury or head trauma,” he replied.

Under cross-examination from Stockton’s barrister, Jamie Hill KC, Mr Connor told jurors that the injuries could not have been caused by an accidental fall from a bed and there was no evidence that Charlie had suffered a blow to his eyes.

Charlie RobertsCharlie Roberts (Image: Family handout)

Paramedics had carried out CPR on Charlie before he was taken to hospital for specialist treatment, the court had heard.

Stockton called emergency services when the toddler became seriously ill just minutes after his mother left for an optician’s appointment.

The jury at Teesside Crown Court had listened to the recording of the 999 call 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.

Jurors had heard how 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.

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Stockton denies the murder of the toddler.

The 38-year-old and the child’s mother, 41-year-old Roberts, are both charged with neglect. The pair both deny the charge.

Stockton, of Neasham Road, Darlington, remains remanded in custody while Roberts, of Darlington, has been released on conditional bail during proceedings.

The trial continues.