Youth accused of toddler's murder

A teenage babysitter murdered a 22-month-old boy in a "sustained and violent" attack after sexually abusing him, a court has heard.

Charlie Johnson died from severe head injuries after the assault at his home in Scarborough, in May.

At Bradford Crown Court his childminder Joshua Cook, who was 17 at the time, denied murder but admitted manslaughter and sexual assault.

Prosecutor Bryan Cox QC said the violence was of considerable magnitude.

"The violence done to his young child was not short-lived. It was of a considerable order of magnitude; it was sustained and violent," he said.

The jury heard that Cook, now 18, had been working as a babysitter for Georgina Fisher, a single mother-of-three, for about four months before the attack.

Brain surgery

On 16 May, Ms Fisher dropped off her other two children at school before heading to York Races with her workmates.

In the morning, Mr Cook took the toddler to his home on Maple Drive to see his mother and later returned to the child's home.

The court heard Mr Cook was later seen on the street looking agitated and carrying the toddler in a towel.

When a neighbour asked what was wrong, he said: "He's dead. He's dead."

The baby was taken to Scarborough Hospital with severe head injuries. He was later airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary where he died the next morning during brain surgery.

A post-mortem examination revealed extensive bruising and abrasions to the body, bleeding around the eyes, and evidence of sexual assault that would have caused "substantial pain".

Unclear motive

Deeper bruising suggested punching, kicking or "violent shaking", Mr Cox said.

When Mr Cook was arrested, he denied the attack and said he had been holding Charlie when he had fallen on to his back on the floor.

Doctors said the head injury was so severe that his account was "inconsistent".

Mr Cox said it was unclear why Mr Cook, who earned £40 a week from regular babysitting, decided to launch the attack.

He said: "It may be that after the defendant (sexually abused) Charlie, the defendant lost his temper when Charlie became distressed as he must have done."

The trial continues.