A toddler was killed by his stepfather months after his mother installed a spy camera where he slept out of concern for his safety, a court heard today.

Social services also investigated after little Charlie Roberts was taken to hospital with bruises around his head, but accepted the injuries were not accidental and took no action.

The 21-month-old boy died after he was allegedly violently shaken or thrown when he was left alone in the care of stepfather Christopher Stockton, 38, by mother-of-five Paula Roberts, and Teesside Crown Court said.

Stockton called 999 less than 20 minutes after Roberts, 41, left for an early morning optician’s appointment, claiming the youngster was “choking” on a biscuit.

He was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved. Scans showed he had bleeding on the brain and died from severe head injuries, which were not accidental, said coroner Nicholas Lumley, KC.

The jury was told Stockton had little sleep after spending most of the night before playing online games, watching TV and shopping online.

Mr Lumley said: ‘In a very short time, because that’s all it takes to lose his temper, isn’t he, he must have attacked Charlie by shaking him or throwing a considerable force”.

He said his actions “may have been quickly and bitterly regretted” but “it was no accident”.

Baby Charlie Roberts (pictured) was killed by his stepfather months after his mother installed a spy camera where he slept out of concern for his safety, a court heard today.

The 21-month-old boy (centre) died after he was allegedly violently shaken or thrown when left alone in the care of stepfather Christopher Stockton (left), 38, by mother-of-five Paula Roberts ( right), Teesside Crown The court was told

Roberts was in tears in the pew as the 999 call was played to the court, including the ambulance operator giving Stockton instructions on how to give Charlie CPR and the kiss of life.

Stockton denies murder and child neglect. Roberts denies child neglect.

Mr Lumley said Roberts only had a brief relationship with Charlie’s father.

In early 2023, Roberts, who worked at an indoor climbing centre, began a relationship with Stockton, who worked at a firm in Stockton-on-Tees.

Stockton began spending time at the Roberts’ home in Darlington from Charlie’s first birthday.

Mr Lumley said staff at Charlie’s nursery noticed bruising on his forehead in April 2023 and again the following month.

Charlie was taken to Darlington Hospital at the end of May with bruises around both eyes and on his forehead. Roberts told hospital staff she fell several times, the court heard.

Mr Lumley said: “Social services have held meetings, concerned for Charlie’s welfare. At that stage the injuries were not believed to be accidental and no action was taken.’

Stockton claimed Charlie (pictured together) choked on a biscuit after calling 999

By August, the couple’s relationship had become “broken”.

Roberts installed a “spy camera” hidden in a “hanging plant” in her bedroom, where Charlie also slept in a cot at that age, Mr Lumley said.

“She told her brother she was worried about Christopher Stockton and Charlie,” he said.

Other bruises appeared on the toddler in early January.

Three days before Charlie was fatally injured, Roberts told a friend that her son had fallen out of bed and “hit his head,” suffering a possible “concussion.”

She then lied to her manager at work about being taken to the hospital and searched the internet for information about “bruises”.

Bruises on the child’s ears were noticed two days later by Roberts’ brother and she claimed the boy was a sleepwalker and was found asleep in his toy box in a closet.

Stockton was asleep on the couch at this stage. He spent the night before the incident on the internet and watching TV, sleeping only “about two or three hours”, Mr Lumley said.

Floral tributes and cuddly toys left by mourners in memory of 21-month-old Charlie Roberts

Within minutes of Roberts leaving the house at 8.45am, she called 999 and told the operator that Charlie was “barely breathing” and was “flopping”, the court heard.

Stockton claimed he choked on a cracker and could be heard saying “come on Charlie, cough it up” during the call as paramedics raced to the house.

They found him “lifeless” on the ground and he was rushed to hospital. There was nothing to obstruct his airway but scans showed “bleeding in and around his brain”, the court heard.

Doctors concluded the injuries were from “inflicted trauma” and arrested Stockton and Roberts.

An autopsy was performed and experts were consulted. Mr Lumley said Charlie’s injuries could not be explained by a “crash or fall” or natural illness.

The cause of death was said to be from “forceful shaking or twisting of the head” causing irreparable brain damage.

Mr Lumley said Stockton must be responsible for his death as he was in good health when his mother left the house and minutes later collapsed.

In interviews with police, Stockton repeated his story that Charlie choked on a cracker.

The prosecutor told the jury that Stockton insists he did not cause the boy’s death and denies harming or neglecting him.

Roberts is expected to argue that the marks and bruises on her son over the months were the result of “everyday” blows and were certainly not caused by her.

Judge Mr Justice Goss told the jury the prosecution did not have to prove Stockton intended to kill Charlie. He must prove that he intended to cause “very serious harm” for Stockton to be guilty of murder.

The case continues.