Jurors have heard the contents of scores of messages shared between a toddler’s mother and the man accused of murdering him in the months leading up to his death.

Paula Roberts and Christopher Stockton had been in a relationship for around a year when Charlie Roberts suffered fatal head injuries minutes after his mother went to an optician’s appointment.

The couple’s messages with friends and family in the lead up to the Darlington toddler’s death were also read out at Teesside Crown Court.

Jurors were shown images of a secret spy-camera Roberts had installed in her son’s bedroom as she was concerned about Stockton’s relationship with Charlie.

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

They were also shown images of bruising to the youngster’s genitals and heard how Roberts had been looking up conditions that could cause bruising to ears in the months leading up to her son’s death.

In one message, Stockton said Charlie had hit him so he put the toddler in the "naughty corner", with a picture sent showing the boy standing in the corner of a room facing the wall.

The court heard Stockton moved into Roberts' home on Frosterley Drive on January 5 to recuperate after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

Jurors were told that the toddler suffered his head injuries less than a week later and died in hospital.

Charlie RobertsCharlie Roberts (Image: Family handout)

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.

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.