Grandmother 'had fears' for baby

Ms Bone and Mr McClure deny the charges

The grandmother of a baby girl who was allegedly murdered following cruel and sustained abuse feared for the toddler's safety, a court has heard.

Andrea Bone, 20, and Alexander McClure, 27, have been charged with the murder of 13-month old Carla-Nicole Bone in May.

They both deny the charges.

Giving evidence at Stonehaven Sheriff Court, Elizabeth Berry, 40, said she had told social services she was worried about the child's welfare.

The little child just looked at me straight in the eyes and I thought it was looking for help

James King
Tenant farmer

Mr McClure is accused of force-feeding the toddler, assaulting her, and forcing her to stand for long periods to try and make her walk.

Ms Bone is said to have witnessed McClure's actions, but failed to protect her daughter or seek any medical treatment for her injuries.

The alleged incidents took place 13 May at Conland Farm Cottage, Forgue, Aberdeenshire.

The child died in the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital after being taken from the house.

Mrs Berry, whose son David is the natural father of the child, said she had contacted social services out of concern for the baby.

'Loud music'

She said she knew "Andrea had a temper".

"She would not have taken it out on the child, but she has got a temper, she takes it out on people," Mrs Berry said.

Mrs Berry, 40, maintained that despite visiting and seeing the baby in a dirty condition, she believed that Ms Bone was a "good mum".

However, she said she had never been on good terms with McClure.

She said: "I can't remember when we first met but I took an instant dislike to him".

The court was later told that Mrs Berry's son David has since married Ms Bone on 23 August.

Giving evidence, tenant farmer James King, 51, of Conland Farm, told the court he visited Ms Bone and Mr McClure in the cottage they rented from him.

'Quite angry'

He said he heard loud music coming from inside and when they opened the door he could see the toddler was in a distressed state.

When he asked why the baby was leaning against a baby walker, they said they were trying to force her to walk, Mr King added.

"I told them: 'Turn that loud music down and try not let the child be so distressed'.

"Both of them were trying to force her to walk - I think they used that expression, trying to force her to walk. I was quite angry.

"The little child just looked at me straight in the eyes and I thought it was looking for help."