Darlington mother admits neglect following alleged shaking death of toddler Charlie Roberts

Gregg Easteal was at Teesside Crown Court where the mother of a one-year-old admitted child cruelty through neglect as her partner remains on trial for his murder

The mother of a Darlington toddler who was allegedly shaken to death by her partner has changed her plea and admitted neglect.

Charlie Roberts was one year and 10 months old when he suffered a non-survivable head injury at his home.

At the time, he was in the sole care of his mother’s partner Christopher Stockton, 38, and he is is on trial at Teesside Crown Court for murder and neglect, which he denies.

Mother of toddler who suffered fatal head injury installed spy camera, jury told

Charlie’s mother, Paula Roberts, 41, was also on trial for neglect, having denied the charge, but entered a guilty plea on Tuesday (3 December).

She admitted failing to seek medical help for her little boy in December 2023 and January 2024 after he suffered injuries to his private parts and to his ear.

Charlie Roberts with Christopher Stockton, who is accused of the little boy's murder. Credit: CPS

Jurors were told that Charlie suffered bruising in the months before his death.

They were told Roberts installed a spy camera above his cot and told her brother in August that she hid it in a plant pot as she was concerned about Stockton.

She was out having an eye test when Charlie suffered fatal injuries on 12 January.

The prosecution said Stockton, who had stayed up late playing video games, caused those injuries, which cause widespread brain bleeding.

He made a 999 call in which he repeatedly said “come on mate” and “wakey wakey” to the little boy, who was not breathing.

The call-handler talked him through how to perform CPR and at one point Stockton, who was off work ill, said he would pass out if he tried to count the compressions he was doing on the toddler.

Stockton was to tell paramedics, doctors and the police that Charlie had choked on a biscuit and that he patted the child on the back and stuck his fingers down the toddler’s throat.

Stockton said Charlie became “floppy” and so he called 999.

The toddler died in hospital the next day.

Stockton denies the charges of murder and neglect, and his trial continues.

Roberts, who has now pleaded guilty to neglect, will be sentenced at a later date.

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