Darlington stepfather guilty of murdering toddler

He died the following day and pathologists concluded he had been deliberately violently shaken or had his head struck with severe force.

Stockton had denied murdering Charlie and said he did not know how he had been injured, with his legal team arguing Roberts may have inflicted the fatal wounds before she went out.

But doctors said the injuries were so severe Charlie would have collapsed within moments of them being inflicted, meaning they must have been caused while Stockton was alone with the boy.

Stockton was also found guilty of physically abusing Charlie on previous occasions and Roberts admitted not getting her son medical attention after he had been hurt in the weeks before his death.

Prosecutor Nicholas Lumley KC said she was prepared to “overlook” her boyfriend’s actions to “keep him in her life”, while Stockton had “little patience” for Charlie.

Roberts had suspected Stockton may be harming Charlie so hid a camera in the boy’s bedroom, but took no further action.