Man murdered partner’s daughter

Violet MullenViolet Mullen died in hospital after suffering cardiac arrest

A man has been found guilty of murdering his partner’s 15-month-old daughter after a trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Gary Alcock, 28, had denied murdering Violet Mullen. His partner Claire Flanagan, 22, was convicted of causing or allowing her daughter’s death.

Violet died in the Royal Oldham Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest on 12 January.

The couple will be sentenced on 18 November.

Doctors raised concerns after finding bruises on Violet’s face and body which led to the couple’s arrest.

The child had been taken to hospital by paramedics after she was found unconscious at the family home on Huddersfield Road in Oldham.

Vanessa Thomson, Senior Crown Advocate for the Crown Prosecution Service said the evidence showed that Violet was violently assaulted on at least three separate occasions in the weeks leading up to her death.

She added: “Violet sustained in excess of 35 separate injuries including multiple bruises, rib fractures, brain damage and catastrophic internal injuries.

“In the opinion of the Home Office Pathologist, Violet must have been subjected to a severe blow or blows delivered in the form of punches, kicks or stamps.”

Ms Thomson added: “Claire Flanagan, Violet’s mother, ignored the obvious signs of abuse and failed her wholly dependant daughter by doing so.

“This has been a tragic case which has had a devastating effect upon all of those who knew and loved Violet.

“Our thoughts are with those who are left to deal with the consequences of this little girl’s death.”

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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