Boy's blood found on teddy bear, murder jury hears

Dwelaniyah Robinson died of a brain injury

Blood from a three-year-old boy was found on his teddy bear and in different rooms in his family home, a court has heard.

Christina Robinson, 30, is accused of murdering her son, Dwelaniyah, by violently shaking him at her house in Bracken Court, Ushaw Moor, County Durham.

She is accused of scalding him, causing burns to his legs and buttocks and of using a bamboo cane to hit him in the weeks before his death.

Mrs Robinson denies murder and a child cruelty charge.

Christina Robinson, pictured on police footage shown to jurors, denies murder

Newcastle Crown Court heard Mrs Robinson claimed she was allowed to chastise her son according to the teachings of the Bible.

Closing the prosecution case, Richard Wright KC read out a series of agreed facts which included that forensic scientists found blood stains on Dwelaniyah’s teddy bear.

Blood stains were also found on the kitchen door frame, a rug in the lounge, the stairs, a panel in the bathroom and on a carpet in front of his cot.

Hot water injuries

Mr Wright told the court that "the totality of the blood of Dwelaniyah" found around the home was greater than might be expected from minor injuries.

Traces of his blood and skin were found on a bamboo cane, the court heard.

The court previously heard how Mrs Robinson claimed her son was injured by hot water while he was playing in the shower.

The prosecution disputes this and claims he was deliberately scalded.

Dwelaniyah died from a combination of a brain injury and burns.

His mother did not seek medical help for the burns and treated his injuries herself, the court heard.

The defence is due to give evidence on Tuesday.

The trial continues.