Murder trial mum’s tears

TRAGIC . . .Violet Mullen with mum Claire Flanagan, who is accused of her murder

Mother breaks down as tot Violet’s horror injuries read out

AN Oldham mum accused of murdering her baby daughter broke down in court as she heard details of the horrific injuries suffered by the tot.

Violet Mullen, who would have been two today, died from massive internal bleeding after she was assaulted on “at least three separate occasions” a Manchester Crown Court jury was told. Her mother, Claire Flanagan (22) and her boyfriend Gary Alcock (28) who is not Violet’s father, are accused of her murder.

Violet’s bruised body was discovered by paramedics who were called to the family’s home in Huddersfield Road, Waterhead, on January 12.

The jury heard that as well as multiple bruising to her face and body, medical staff discovered major damage to Violet’s internal organs consistent with “severe force likely to have been delivered in the form of punches, kicks or stamps or a combination thereof.”

Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, said that on the day of Violet’s death, Flanagan had gone out leaving Violet with Alcock.

Alcock said Violet had appeared well when he had changed her and put her to bed but when he checked a short while later “her eyes were half open and she seemed ‘spaced out’. Her lips were blue and cold.”

Violet was rushed to the Royal Oldham Hospital by ambulance but doctors were unable to save her.

The jury heard that doctors discovered multiple bruises on her body including two at the top of her forehead, one on the bridge of her nose, multiple bruises on her left cheek and right shoulder and several small circular bruises on her chest.

A post-mortem revealed severe damage to a number of Violet’s internal organs.

The pathologist’s report also revealed that Violet had several healing fractured ribs sustained in the weeks before she died and older brain injuries that were consistent with shaking or a blow.

Flanagan and Alcock both deny murder and an alternative count of causing or allowing the tot’s death. The trial, expected to last four weeks, continues.


EARLIEST, fullest Oldham news coverage in the Evening Chronicle — and online in the E-Chron (subscription required)