Baby taken to hospital before injuries found (From This is Hampshire)

Baby taken to hospital before injuries found

10:29am Friday 20th November 2009 in

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A COURT has heard how a baby was taken to hospital days before doctors uncovered his catalogue of horrific injuries.

The tot, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered fractured ribs, haemorrhaging around the brain and had more than 20 bruises when medics examined him on April 23 last year.

But Southampton Crown Court heard how he was taken to hospital just 12 days earlier after suffering a stomach upset.

Dad Luke Lock is accused of inflicting the injuries that were later discovered, while his partner Charmain Rippon is accused of covering up for him.

They both deny the charges.

The court heard how on April 11 2008, they went to a walk in centre in Bitterne saying the baby was vomiting and had not been feeding properly.

They were given medical advice and went back to their home in Wavell Road, Bitterne, but Rippon returned later on when the problem persisted.

Senior nurse Robin Eyre then referred the case to the paediatric unit at Southampton General Hospital.

Giving evidence yesterday, he told how the child appeared to be “pale but alert”.

Earlier in the trial, the court heard how the baby was then examined at hospital and the only external sign of injury was a small mark near his mouth.

Doctors were told that the mark was caused by the baby hitting himself with a rattle.

The youngster was taken home after being diagnosed with a stomach upset.

Days later a separate hospital visit revealed appalling injuries which included bleeding around the brain and behind both eyes – thought to be caused by being viciously shaken.

Jurors have already been told how his aunt Amanda Rippon claimed she saw Lock shaking the baby so “his head went everywhere”.

Questioned by medical experts as they examined her severely sick son, Charmain Rippon explained away bruises on his face, head, chest, back and legs by blaming the baby for hitting himself with toys and for getting his legs stuck in the cot.

Yesterday the court also heard how Rippon’s brother had visited the family about once a fortnight and that Lock would sometimes drink in the flat – but not while looking after his son.

Lock, 21, now of Albert Road South, faces two counts of causing grievous bodily harm, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and a charge of child cruelty.

Rippon, 23, faces two counts of child cruelty through neglect and exposing the baby to unnecessary suffering.

Proceeding.