Ben Butler murder trial: Accused storms out of dock

Ellie Butler's teacher noticed an injury to her eye

A man accused of battering his six-year-old daughter to death in a fit of rage stormed out of the dock at his trial after accusing a pathologist of cremating her "behind our back".

Ben Butler, 36, began shouting as pathologist Dr Andreas Marnerides gave evidence at the Old Bailey.

Mr Butler denies murdering Ellie Butler in October 2013 at their home in Sutton, south west London.

He and his partner Jennie Gray, 36, both deny child cruelty.

The outburst started when prosecutor Ed Brown QC asked Dr Marnerides if Ellie's cremation was carried out in consultation with Mr Butler's solicitors.

Mr Butler shouted: "How dare you? You took samples and cremated her behind our back. You hid evidence. You hid evidence."

After he left the dock, Mr Butler's lawyer, Di Middleton, said: "I apologise on Mr Butler's behalf. It's a particularly sensitive subject. I can deal with it in the absence of the jury."

Trial judge Mr Justice Wilkie said: "He lost it for a reason you explained and absented himself."

When Butler re-entered the dock, the judge told him he must try to "restrain" himself.

He added: "I understand that some issues may be very sensitive for you."

Ms Gray has previously admitted perverting the course of justice over an alleged cover-up in the wake of Ellie's death.

The trial continues.