The trial of a couple accused of murdering a two-year-old girl whose body was found in her pushchair in temporary housing in Ipswich has entered its final stages.
Before Ipswich Crown Court on Monday were Chelsea Gleason-Mitchell and Scott Jeff, both 24 and of no fixed address, who have denied murdering Isabella Wheildon between June 26 and 30 last year.
In addition to denying murder, Jeff has also denied causing or allowing the death of a child between June 26-30 last year and two offences of cruelty to a child.
Gleason-Mitchell has pleaded guilty to causing or allowing the death of Isabella, who was her daughter, and two offences of cruelty to a child under 16.
The court has heard that Isabella’s body was found in her pushchair in the shower of temporary housing at East Villa in Sidegate Lane, Ipswich in June last year.
She had suffered extensive bruising all over her body, fractures to both her wrists and her pelvis caused by possible kicking or stamping in the weeks after Jeff started a relationship with Gleason- Mitchell.
It has been alleged that following Isabella’s death the couple had pushed her dead body around in her pushchair with the hood up for several days before leaving her body in Ipswich and fleeing to Bury St Edmunds where they were arrested.
Evidence in the case concluded last week and on Monday prosecution counsel Sally Howes KC gave her closing speech to the jury.
Defence barristers for Gleason- Mitchell and Jeff will address the jury on Tuesday before the trial judge Mr Justice Garnham starts his summing up.
The trial continues.
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