A man and woman who deny murdering a two-year-old girl have accused each other of hitting her when interviewed by police, a court was told.

Chelsea Gleason-Mitchell and Scott Jeff, now both 24, and formerly of Bedfordshire, have denied murdering Isabella Wheildon between June 26-30 in Ipswich last year.

On Friday, the court heard a statement produced during a police interview by Jeff said that he could recall seeing bruising to Isabella’s face and arms in the five days leading up to her death.

Summarising another of Jeff’s statements, Sally Howes KC stated that he alleges seeing Gleason-Mitchell hit Isabella on her bottom with a slipper, and another occasion when he saw blood on the floor of the bathroom, which he alleges Gleason-Mitchell told him was from Isabella slipping whilst on the toilet.

In her own statement, Ms Howes said that Gleason-Mitchell recalls a “long history of physical abuse” of Isabella at Jeff’s hands, some incidents of which were triggered by potty training.

Evidence was also heard from Dr Nicola Cleghorn, a consultant community paediatrician covering Darlington, County Durham and Cumbria.

Dr Cleghorn explained to the jury that she would expect to see bruising in normal, active toddlers during everyday play.

These bruises or abrasions are more likely to appear on areas of bone prominence, such as knees, elbows or shins.

She explained that a bruise or abrasion is more likely to have been inflicted when it occurs on soft tissue, or areas which are more often protected such as the abdomen or neck. 

The court has previously heard that Isabella’s pelvis and both of her wrists were fractured, and there was evidence of trauma to her head, neck, face, torso, limbs and back.

Jeff has also denied causing or allowing the death of a child between June 26-30 last year and two offences of cruelty to a child under 16.

The court has heard that Gleason-Mitchell has admitted causing or allowing Isabella's death and two offences of child cruelty.

Dr Cleghorn said she would not expect the carers of a typically active toddler to be able to account for every bruise or abrasion, which come about as a result of normal, everyday play.

However, for more serious injuries such as fractures which cause ongoing pain, she told the court she would expect a carer to become aware that something significant had occurred, even if they did not observe the event.

She said that Isabella would have been distressed in the aftermath of sustaining her fractures.

The trial continues.