A CONSULTANT paediatrician has told a murder trial it was unlikely the massive brain and internal injuries suffered by two-year-old Madison Horn could have been caused by her jumping on a bed and falling off when it collapsed.
Dr John Morrice from the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, said: "I see lots of children coming in who have fallen from beds and I do not see them coming in with injuries like that."
Dr Morrice was giving evidence at the trial of Kevin Park, who denies murdering Madison on April 20 at a house in Kelty, Fife, by pulling her hair, repeatedly striking her head against a wall, biting her and repeatedly striking her on the head and body.
He told how he and colleagues battled to save the child when she was brought in, and added: "She was incredibly unstable. She was a really sick little girl."
The High Court in Glasgow heard that a CT scan was carried out. Dr Morrice said: "It showed that she had a significant skull fracture and there was evidence of swelling on the brain consistent with the brain having been starved of oxygen for a time."
The court heard a scan of her body revealed evidence of injury to her small bowel and liver.
The consultant said he discussed Madison's case with specialists at the Sick Kids' Hospital in Edinburgh and added: "They had looked at the CT scan of the brain injury and their comment was that it was an irretrievable situation. Her brain was so damaged it was inevitable she was going to die."
Prosecutor Jennifer Bain said: "We have heard that a piece of gym equipment may have landed on her stomach before lunchtime that day. If that was the case would she have been able to function as normal?" Dr Morrice replied: "No. The child would have been unwell very quickly and have a very sore stomach."
Ms Bain asked: "Would you expect a child with abdominal injuries able to jump up and down on a bed hours later?" and he replied: 'No."
Dr Morrice was asked if Madison could have sustained these injuries by jumping on a bed that was 44 centimetres high and then falling. He stated: "The injuries to the head and abdomen would be consistent with significant blunt force trauma that you wouldn't get from falling from a bed."
Defence lawyer Mark Stewart, QC, suggested the injuries to Madison's head and abdomen could have happened at different times. Dr Morrice said he though it unlikely.
Earlier the court heard more details of Madison's injuries.
Forensic scientist Kirsty McTurk examined the house where the child was injured.
Ms Bain asked: "Were you given background information that Madison Horn had bruising to her face and a fracture to the back of her head, extensive internal injuries including blunt force trauma to her abdomen and that hair had been pulled out her head," and Ms McTurk replied: "That's correct."
The court also heard the girl had a potential bite on her left leg.
The trial before judge Michael O'Grady continues.
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