A British stepfather will spend greater than 20 years behind bars for the demise of his 1-year-old stepson. Christopher Stockton initially claimed that Charlie Roberts had choked on a cookie, however an investigation later shut that story down. After being discovered responsible in October, the Crown Prosecution Companies (CPS) sentenced the British stepfather on Friday (February 7). Prosecutors additionally didn’t spare the toddler’s mom, Paula Roberts, who seemingly knew her boyfriend was abusing her little one.
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British Courtroom Determines Stepfather Did THIS
In keeping with a CPS press launch, Charlie died on January 13, 2024, when he was 22 months previous. Lower than 20 minutes after the toddler’s mom left their dwelling the day earlier than, his stepfather rang emergency companies. CPS studies that Paula was headed to work, whereas the Durham Constabulary, native police, stated she had an optician’s appointment.
Christopher Stockton reportedly instructed personnel that Charlie Roberts had stopped respiratory whereas taking part in in a toy tunnel in the lounge. Moreover, he claimed the boy had turn into “lifeless and floppy” and admitted that the boy had eaten a cookie earlier. He was principally suggesting that may’ve brought on the boy to choke. Nonetheless, when paramedics checked Charlie, they didn’t discover something blocking his airways. As an alternative, they discovered that the 22-month-old had a “severe head damage” and transported him by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
“…regardless of one of the best efforts of the emergency companies, he sadly by no means regained consciousness and died the next day. Consultants stated that, given the severity of the damage, it should have been sustained instantly earlier than Stockton known as an ambulance and was brought on by extreme trauma from being shaken or thrown,” Durham police stated of their assertion.
It’s unclear how precisely Charlie finally sustained the top damage, however Stockton will spend a minimal of 25 years behind bars for the incident. A jury additionally discovered him responsible of wilful assault and little one neglect.
The Detective Superintendent on the case, Chris Barker, stated in October: “It was his duty to maintain Charlie secure. He didn’t do this. He’s the one one that is aware of precisely what occurred that morning, however what we do know is his actions resulted on this little boy’s demise.”
Christopher Stockton Had Violent Historical past With His Stepson That Mom Ignored
CPS and Durham police additionally revealed that Stockton was violent along with his stepson all through his relationship with Paula Roberts, which began in early 2023. He met Charlie in March 2023, days after his first birthday. Within the coming month, the toddler sustained a number of bruises on separate events.
Paula knew what was taking place. She had purchased and positioned a spy digicam in her son’s bed room. She additionally instructed considered one of her members of the family she had issues about Christopher. Nonetheless, the mom uncared for to report Stockton any of her son’s accidents, regardless of having image proof of bruises and accidents to the 1-year-old’s physique.
Police charged her with little one neglect after discovering extra proof that she knew and didn’t act. In textual content messages, she claimed she’d take her son to hunt medical consideration however by no means did. Three days earlier than Charlie Roberts died, his mom instructed her boss he had been admitted to the hospital. That was a lie. The proof signifies that many of the accidents Charlie sustained whereas being one weren’t accidents.
“To put in a spy digicam as Paula Roberts did, means there should have been issues about him…When you have issues about these caring in your kids, you will need to act, communicate out or ask for assist…Charlie had every little thing to reside for, however his life was cruelly reduce quick…My ideas exit to those that actually cared about Charlie.” Detective Superintendent Barker said in October.
Paula Roberts pleaded responsible and can spend 4 years in jail. After the stepfather was discovered responsible, the toddler’s father, Barry Greenwell, spoke out.
“As a household we’re processing the current occasions and try to come back to phrases with the decision and knowledge on condition that has been deeply disturbing to ourselves.”
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