WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Alexandra Walker, 26, and her boyfriend Harrison Simpson, 22, have been jailed for the murder of her two-year-old daughter, Isabelle Welsh, who had been sexually abused
A man has been jailed for life after sexually abusing and murdering his new girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter. Isabelle Welsh endured weeks of horrendous abuse, including suffering 21 broken bones, before she collapsed at her home in Thornaby, Teesside, in September.
Alexandra Walker, 26, and her boyfriend Harrison Simpson, 22, were found guilty of murder and child cruelty this week following a trial at Teesside Crown Court. Today, they were jailed for life with minimum terms of 28 years and 22 years respectively.
Simpson was also convicted of sexually assaulting Isabelle while her mother was acquitted of that charge. The prosecution stated that Isabelle had been a happy, healthy child until her mother began dating Simpson last summer.
Walker searched for Simpson on the sex offenders’ register after she became suspicious about his behaviour, which included bathing Isabelle without her prior consent.
However, she continued to date him, despite expressing concerns that his behaviour towards them was “weird”.
Eleven days before the fatal injuries were inflicted, Walker took Isabelle to hospital with a broken leg which raised medical professionals’ suspicions about her care.
Walker had delayed taking Isabelle to be examined by approximately two weeks, jurors were informed.
Even when Isabelle collapsed at home, and was dying, Walker again put off calling 999.
When paramedics arrived they discovered her covered in bruises and there was blood in her nappy.
The little girl passed away in hospital the next day and Walker and Simpson were arrested.
Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, informed the court: “For weeks this child had been violently assaulted and her death, by that terrible head injury, was simply the end point in that campaign of violence to which she had been subjected.”
Following their conviction, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Chatterton of Cleveland Police, stated: “Isabelle suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of the very people who should have loved her, cared for her and protected her.
“Her life was cruelly taken in the most tragic and heartbreaking circumstances.”
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