Darlington toddler death: Murder accused sounded 'incredibly calm' on 999 call, jury told
by David Huntley · ChronicleLiveA man accused of murdering a toddler in Darlington sounded "incredibly calm" on a 999 call, a trial has heard.
Christopher Stockton is currently facing a trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of murdering 22-month-old Charlie Roberts in January. The 38-year-old, of Neasham Road, Darlington, is also accused of child cruelty, said to be committed between May 1 last year and January 14 this year. He denies both charges.
The mother of Charlie, Paula Roberts, of Frosterley Drive in Darlington, is also standing trial accused of child neglect. The 41-year-old denies the charge.
On Tuesday, the jury heard the 999 call Stockton made on January 12, in which he told a call handler Charlie was choking on something. He was heard saying "cough it up" while repeatedly saying "come on little man".
Stockton could be heard saying Charlie was "really floppy" as the handler talked him through doing chest compressions. At one point, Stockton, who could be heard coughing regularly throughout the emergency call, told the handler he would "pass out" if he carried on counting while giving the compressions.
A paramedic soon arrived on scene, with Stockton telling her Charlie had choked on a biscuit. Despite using specialist equipment, nothing could be found blocking the toddler's throat. An adrenaline shot was also administered to Charlie before the paramedic called for air ambulance assistance.
Dr Mike Davison, who works for the Great North Air Ambulance Service, and was called to the scene, gave evidence at the trial. He told the jury he was listening in to Stockton's 999 call at the time and that he seemed "incredibly calm".
He said: "There are certain things you listen out for that gives you an indication this is going to be a job. The caller was incredibly calm.
"Normally, when you get a call that comes through like that, it's almost like a primeval howl comes out in [the caller's] voice. There was nothing like that, so I thought maybe it was a false alarm as there was no increase of tone in the call."
Dr Davison was then called out to the scene and made the decision to take Charlie to the RVI in Newcastle.
Jamie Hill KC, defending Stockton, put it to the witness that some people may get "numb with shock" during traumatic situations.
Dr Davison replied: "Yes, I see a full range [of emotions]. The vast majority act in a certain way. I just felt that it didn't feel part of that [normal response]."
The trial continues.
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