Toddler's 101 'high-speed car crash' style injuries as stepdad filmed her dying
A two-year-old girl was left with 101 injuries like she had been involved in a high-speed car crash, before dying four days later in hospital, a court heard today.
Little Lola James was allegedly attacked at home by her stepfather Kyle Bevan, 31, who tried to claim the family dog pushed her down the stairs.
Giving harrowing evidence in court, paediatrician Dr Deborah Stalker said there was not one part of Lola's body that was not bruised as the jury were shown a full list of the horrific wounds and bruises.
She said: "In my opinion Lola's severe and extensive injuries cannot be explained by a fall down the stairs.
"Physical abuse is the most likely cause. A stair fall does not explain the catastrophic and extensive injuries to the head with bleeding to both eyes."
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
Swansea Crown Court today heard the most likely cause of Lola's brain injuries was shaking while she also suffered "gripping" injuries to her neck.
Kyle Bevan denies murder (WALES NEWS SERVICE)
Sinead James has pleaded not guilty (WALES NEWS SERVICE)Dr Stalker said: "An extensive subdural haemorrhage is usually the result of a high velocity road traffic collision where a child is thrown from the collision, or a fall from a great height, such as a fall from a balcony or bedroom window of more than 10 feet.
"The very severe and extensive injuries on Lola are not explained by a fall down domestic stairs.
"The most likely cause, in my opinion, is non-accidental injury, purposefully-inflicted injury, or physical abuse – the three terms are synonymous."
The court heard bruising to Lola's ears was rarely the result of an accident.
Dr Stalker said: "It is usually the result of a direct blow, not one from a fall.
"Injuries to the neck are also very unlikely to be caused by accident and can be caused by strangulation.
"The whole picture of Lola's head injuries led me to conclude they were caused by abusive head trauma."
Lola James was just two when she died (Dyfed-Powys Police)The court heard injuries to Lola's back and legs were extensive and caused by a forceful blow.
Dr Stalker added: "It looks like three or four blows with a weapon."
Disabled woman paralysed after falling from wheelchair on plane walkway dies
Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC said Bevan had been left alone with Lola at the family home when he launched a "frenzied and extremely violent attack".
He failed to call an ambulance immediately and instead filmed a "disturbing 22 second film" of seriously injured Lola as he tried to prop her up.
Bevan was arrested by police and claimed the family dog had pushed Lola down the stairs at the home in Haverfordwest in July 2020.
Mum James told police she was asleep when Lola suffered a series of horrific injuries - and claimed to have no reason to think Bevan would harm her.
Lola was rushed to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest before she was transferred to Noah's Ark Children's Hospital in Cardiff.
James, of Neyland, denies causing or allowing the death of a child.
Bevan, of Aberystwyth, denies murder.
The trial continues.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
