A pathologist has told a court that blunt force trauma is “the only plausible explanation” for the injury that caused the death of a 10-month-old baby whose mother and stepfather are accused of his murder.
Jacob Crouch collapsed on December 30 2020 and was later found to have at least 39 rib fractures and 19 visible bruises, as well as a tear in his bowel which led to peritonitis – an infection of the lining of the abdominal organs – and his eventual death.
Gemma Barton, 33, and Craig Crouch, 39, deny murder and other child cruelty offences.
