Baby allegedly murdered by adopted parent had bite mark on him, court hears

A forensic pathologist examined a photograph of a 13-month-old child taken about two weeks before his death. The image showed a darker area on the child’s right buttock. The pathologist said the mark was a round, circular bruise that turned slightly purple and measured about 3.5 cm in diameter. She stated the size and configuration were consistent with a human bite mark. She also reported finding other unusual injuries during her career. The case involved allegations of routine ill-treatment, sexual abuse, and physical assault during a four-month adoption period. The evidence included videos and images found on the defendants’ phone, including a video showing the child in a cot with his neck resting on a bar and his body partially suspended, described as very unsafe.

"It is my view, sir, it most likely represents a human bite mark, Dr Armour, told the jury. She said having looked at the photo, the mark on his body was a round, circular bruise, turning slightly purple and around 3.5cm in diameter. Peter Wright KC, prosecuting, asked Dr Armour why she though it was a bite mark. The size, configuration, which means the shape, are all consistent with a human bite mark, she said."

"Dr Armour also said she found other most unusual injuries she had never come across in her 39-year career as a consultant forensic pathologist. The photo was one of a series of videos and images found on the phone of the defendants, James Varley, 37, a former teacher accused of the murder of the baby and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, accused of allowing the death of the child with both accused of sexual abuse. Both men deny all charges."

"Dr Armour was also asked her opinion on a video recovered from Varley's phone of Preston in his cot, along with two toy teddy bears, four days before his death in July 2023. The video and images stretch over a period of three minutes and 12 seconds, with the child's head and arms over the top horizontal bar of his cot and his neck resting on the bar. His body is apparently partially suspended, his legs in a frog like position and the child seemingly asleep or unconscious. This is very unsafe"

Read at www.independent.co.uk