Murder-accused moved in with boy days before death

A man accused of murdering his partner's infant son moved into the family's home a week before the boy's death, a court has heard.

Charlie Roberts, 22 months old, suffered a fatal head injury at his home in Darlington on 12 January, Teesside Crown Court.

Christopher Stockton, 38, had been in a relationship with Charlie's mother Paula Roberts, 41, for about a year and moved into their home seven days before Charlie was injured.

Mr Stockton denies murder and child cruelty and Ms Roberts denies child neglect.

The court previously heard Mr Stockton called 999 shortly after 09:00 GMT on 12 January to say Charlie had been choking and fallen unconscious.

Charlie was taken to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary where scans revealed major bleeding around his brain which led to his death the following day, the court has heard.

On Thursday, jurors heard dozens of messages exchanged between Mr Stockton, Ms Roberts and various relatives and friends in the months leading up to Charlie's death.

In one message, Mr Stockton said Charlie had hit him so he put the toddler in the "naughty corner", with a picture sent showing the boy standing in the corner of a room facing the wall.

The court heard Mr Stockton moved into Ms Roberts' home on Frosterley Drive on 5 January to recuperate after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

On 7 January, Mr Stockton's mother took Charlie out for the day at a soft-play centre.

In her messages, she described Charlie as a "happy little boy" who was a "pleasure to have".

Later that week Charlie was taken to hospital after reportedly falling out of bed and banging his head, the court heard.

He had a bruise by his ear and was vomiting, the court heard, with a doctor telling jurors the bruised ear was unlikely to have been caused accidentally.

Jurors also heard messages in which Mr Stockton's mother urged him to think seriously about his relationship with Ms Roberts and decide whether to fully to commit to it, as Charlie was getting attached to him.

The trial continues.

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