Mother weeps as 999 tape played

Accused pair deny Violet’s murder

THE mother on trial for the murder of her 15-month-old daughter wept in the dock as the 999 call made on the day of her death was played to the court.

Violet Mullen died from internal injuries, allegedly after being struck with “severe force”, on January 12 at her home in Huddersfield Road, Waterhead.

Her mum, Claire Flanagan (22), and Claire’s boyfriend, Gary Alcock (28), both deny murdering the tot and causing or allowing her death.

In the background of the 999 call made after Violet collapsed, Miss Flanagan can be heard weeping hysterically.

During the call, Mr Alcock told the operator that Violet had lost consciousness some time after vomiting.

He said: “She seems unconscious. She’s breathing faintly, she’s got a very faint heartbeat, her lips are cold.”

Mr Alcock, who appears calm throughout the recording, is urged by the operator to calm Miss Flanagan down before being given instructions on how to resuscitate the youngster.

Mr Alcock is talked through mouth-to-mouth procedures and urged to pump the child’s chest until paramedics arrive.

Paramedics were called from their base at Crofton Street in Oldham to the scene after being told that a child had suffered cardiac arrest.

They found Violet lying on the floor in an upstairs bedroom and rushed her straight to the ambulance.

Attempts were made to resuscitate Violet on the way to the Royal Oldham Hospital but she was declared dead around an hour later.

The trial, at Manchester Crown Court, is expected to last for another three weeks.