Overview
- A jury was sworn at Teesside Crown Court on June 22–23 and both defendants, Alexandra Walker and Harrison Simpson, have pleaded not guilty to murder and related charges.
- The prosecution says post-mortem and forensic exams found fractures to 21 bones, extensive bruising and injuries consistent with sexual assault that built up over weeks before the child’s final head injury.
- Prosecutors allege the fatal injury was a ‘massive’ skull and brain trauma caused shortly before collapse and that delayed medical attention followed earlier signs of serious harm.
- Evidence shown to jurors includes home CCTV footage described as capturing heavy drinking, drug use and aggressive behaviour that the prosecution says helps explain opportunity and oversight of the child.
- The trial is expected to run about six weeks and will turn on expert medical testimony, CCTV interpretation and care records while the defendants remain in custody and the presumption of innocence applies.