Toddler's bruises 'caused by falls', dad says

Charlie Roberts was 22 months old when he died

The father of a toddler who died of a head injury said he thought his son's bruises were caused during falls, a court has heard.

Charlie Roberts was 22 months old when he collapsed with the "catastrophic" injury at his home in Darlington in January, Teesside Crown Court was told.

His mother, Paula Roberts, 41, denies child neglect and her partner Christopher Stockton, 38, denies murder and child abuse.

In an interview played to the jury, Charlie's dad, Barry Greenwell, said he often saw bruises on his son but believed they had been caused by him bumping into furniture while learning to walk.

Prosecutor Nicholas Lumley KC said Charlie had suffered "multiple injuries" in the weeks and months before his death and had been "cruelly neglected".

He said Charlie died after Mr Stockton had "shaken or thrown him with violence".

In a police interview recorded on 12 January, Mr Greenwell said he often saw "small bruises" on his son's body including his head, ribs and chest.

Charlie Roberts was fatally injured at his home in Frosterley Drive in January

The 42-year-old, who had a brief relationship with Ms Roberts, said he never reported the injuries because he feared contact with his son would be stopped.

Under cross-examination he was asked if he suspected his son was being ill-treated, to which he said he did not.

The court also heard Mr Greenwell and his partner took 700 pictures of Charlie during his weekly visits.

Asked if he thought the pictures showed Charlie was "happy, clean, tidy, well-presented and well-dressed", he said he did.

Ms Roberts, who worked at an indoor climbing centre in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, started a relationship with Mr Stockton in January 2023.

He was a regular visitor to her home in Frosterley Drive and moved in with her days before Charlie's death.

The court heard the accused pair claimed Charlie's bruises were accidental and the result of "everyday occurrences".

The trial, which is anticipated to last for up to five weeks, continues.