Man told police he 'never murdered' toddler

Isabella Wheildon's body was found in a pushchair locked in a bathroom in a temporary accommodation unit in Ipswich

A man accused of killing a toddler was recorded telling police "I never murdered her", a court has heard.

Chelsea Gleason-Mitchell, 24, and Scott Jeff, 24, both deny murdering her daughter Isabella Wheildon between 26 and 30 June 2023.

The two-year-old’s body was discovered on 30 June 2023 in a flat at the East Villa temporary housing complex in Sidegate Lane, Ipswich.

Ipswich Crown Court heard the couple were arrested the following day in the early hours in Mustow Street in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Scott Jeff denies murdering two-year-old Isabella Wheildon, allowing her death and child cruelty.

In police body-camera footage Mr Jeff told a police officer: “I never murdered her. I didn’t know what to do.

"I’ve got nothing to hide apart from the fact I was trying to get out for the night. I panicked. I tried to bring her back."

The court was told that shortly before their arrest the couple had been filmed on CCTV leaving a pub. The pair, who come from Bedfordshire, had been temporarily homeless before being offered accommodation in Ipswich.

Mr Jeff told the police he was planning to go back to Ipswich to hand himself in.

Jurors were shown photographs of blood-stained items found in the flat where Isabella’s body was left in a pushchair in the bathroom.

The items included a pair of leggings she was wearing, a grey duvet cover, a towel from a cot, a pair of adult-sized white jeans, a pair of child’s shorts, a bathrobe and a pair of child’s leggings.

The blood stains on all the items matched Isabella’s DNA profile. The court was told it was not possible to say how the blood was deposited on them.

Chelsea Gleason-Mitchell was bullied at school and was easily manipulated, a trial heard

'Easily manipulated'

In a statement read to the court Bethany Birkenshaw, a mental health worker and childhood friend of Ms Gleason-Mitchell, said the defendant “was not all there” and had intellectual challenges.

Ms Birkenshaw said she had once asked Ms Gleason-Mitchell if she had been shaken as a child. She said Ms Gleason-Mitchell had always wanted to work with children, was easily manipulated and had been bullied because she received learning support.

Ms Gleason-Mitchell admits causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty, but denies murder. Mr Jeff denies the same charges.

The trial continues.