A CORONER yesterday accused social workers of hiding essential information from an inquest into the death of a neglected toddler.

The hearing has already heard harrowing evidence of the ordeal suffered by 13-month-old Sophie Casey at the hands of her mother Emma and her heroin addict lover.

Sophie's grandparents had warned South Tyneside Social Services that she was unwashed, underfed and had suffered a fractured skull.

The case was placed in the care of social worker David Potts but, the inquest was told, he failed to reassign it after he went off sick with a sore eye.

A month later, on December 10, 1999, Sophie was found dead at the family home in South Shields. She had choked on her own vomit after her mother's one-armed boyfriend, Peter Casey, fed her a mixture of cheesecake, ice cream, Weetabix and milk for breakfast.

Yesterday, Coroner Terence Carney said essential information about Sophie's case was being hidden by South Tyneside Social Services.

As social services team manager David Martin gave evidence, Mr Carney demanded to know why there were gaps in the case file.

Mr Martin said he was unable to explain why details of when Mr Potts took up the case had been covered by correction fluid.

Later, Mr Carney asked him: "You told us that you have had ongoing concerns for the family and you required a further assessment of the family. Are these concerns recorded on file?"

Mr Martin replied: "No."

Mr Carney demanded: "Why not?"

Mr Martin replied: "I don't know, I can't offer an explanation."

Mr Carney then asked him where was the file which held further details of the concerns both he and David Potts had about the case. Mr Martin replied that he did not have the file with him.

Mr Carney said: "I think we need this file to be certain of what was going on and to fill in the gaps. I believe there are certain essential points being hidden here."

The coroner heard how social services were handed the case in August 1999 when Sophie was admitted to hospital with a skull fracture.

Mr Potts was asked to attend the inquest at Gateshead County Court, but refused, saying it would be "too stressful".

Nursing staff, teachers and neighbours also raised the alarm with social services staff over the way Sophie and her elder brother were being cared for by their mother.

The inquest also heard Peter Casey was well-known to the council and police because of his criminal past and allegations of child abuse.

The inquest continues