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Ellie Butler appears in home video with dark mark around her eye during murder trial Ellie Butler appears in home video with dark mark around her eye during murder trial
(35 minutes later)
A six-year-old girl who was allegedly killed by her father was caught on a home video before her death with a dark mark around her eye, a jury has been told.A six-year-old girl who was allegedly killed by her father was caught on a home video before her death with a dark mark around her eye, a jury has been told.
Ellie Butler appeared in a series of short video clips played on Wednesday at the murder trial of her father, Ben Butler, who was also said to have been swearing in the presence of his daughter.Ellie Butler appeared in a series of short video clips played on Wednesday at the murder trial of her father, Ben Butler, who was also said to have been swearing in the presence of his daughter.
The court heard how the three pieces of footage were found on a Samsung camera discovered by police in a chest of drawers at the Butler home in Sutton, south-west London, after Ellie’s death in October 2013.The court heard how the three pieces of footage were found on a Samsung camera discovered by police in a chest of drawers at the Butler home in Sutton, south-west London, after Ellie’s death in October 2013.
In one clip a voice can been heard in the background telling someone to “fuck off” as Ellie stands in pink and grey pyjamas in front of the camera. In another, close-up clip, Ellie appeared pale, with a dark mark around one eye, while the third clip shows her with a thick bandage on her leg. In one clip, a voice can been heard in the background telling someone to “fuck off” as Ellie stands in pink and grey pyjamas in front of the camera. In another, close-up clip, Ellie appeared pale, with a dark mark around one eye, while the third clip shows her with a thick bandage on her leg.
Butler, 36, is on trial at the Old Bailey charged with her murder, while he and Jennie Gray are accused of child cruelty relating to an untreated broken shoulder Ellie suffered weeks before her death. Both deny the charges. In the first two clips Ellie is shown with her eyes closed, with her long brown hair around her shoulders. Butler, 36, is on trial at the Old Bailey charged with her murder, while he and Jennie Gray are accused of child cruelty relating to an untreated broken shoulder Ellie suffered weeks before her death. Both deny the charges. In the first two clips, Ellie is shown with her eyes closed, with her long brown hair around her shoulders. In the background, a voice said to be Butler is heard shouting and swearing at someone on the phone. He is heard to say: “Don’t ask me to do something you ain’t fucking done then sort it and now fuck off.”
In the background, a voice said to be Butler is heard shouting and swearing at someone on the phone. He is heard to say: “Don’t ask me to do something you ain’t fucking done then sort it and now fuck off.”
Ellie appears not to react to the off-camera comments.Ellie appears not to react to the off-camera comments.
Jurors have heard the couple exchanged a barrage of abusive texts in the months leading up to the six-year-old’s death. They have been told that Butler was an angry and frustrated man who showed contempt for his partner.Jurors have heard the couple exchanged a barrage of abusive texts in the months leading up to the six-year-old’s death. They have been told that Butler was an angry and frustrated man who showed contempt for his partner.
The jury was told that in the texts Butler calls his partner “a dog whore” and a “fat dog” and warns her if she comes home with Ellie “I’ll main u bitch”.The jury was told that in the texts Butler calls his partner “a dog whore” and a “fat dog” and warns her if she comes home with Ellie “I’ll main u bitch”.
In another exchange, Gray tells Butler to “pls calm down”. He replies: “Fucking shut up”. Later that day he texts her to say: “i’m fucking furious … sick to death of u and things like this prick”. She replies: “I will sort it out. Sorry I forgot. Won’t do another thing.”In another exchange, Gray tells Butler to “pls calm down”. He replies: “Fucking shut up”. Later that day he texts her to say: “i’m fucking furious … sick to death of u and things like this prick”. She replies: “I will sort it out. Sorry I forgot. Won’t do another thing.”
Four days later: Butler tells her in a text to “fucj off u dog whore … ulc ne and u r done u fucking bitch [sic].”Four days later: Butler tells her in a text to “fucj off u dog whore … ulc ne and u r done u fucking bitch [sic].”
The jury heard that in one exchange, on 17 July 2013, Butler demanded she clean every room. The following day, she texted him to say: “I luv U and want U. I am diff to before and did want to prove it to U. I am sorry I let U down on phone other day. I want to be all those things U want. I never want to lose U.”The jury heard that in one exchange, on 17 July 2013, Butler demanded she clean every room. The following day, she texted him to say: “I luv U and want U. I am diff to before and did want to prove it to U. I am sorry I let U down on phone other day. I want to be all those things U want. I never want to lose U.”
On the same day he called her “a joke”, the court heard, adding, “I can’t be around u as I loath so much”. She replied: “I am sorry I ruined your life,” adding that she “would do anything and die for U”.On the same day he called her “a joke”, the court heard, adding, “I can’t be around u as I loath so much”. She replied: “I am sorry I ruined your life,” adding that she “would do anything and die for U”.
Earlier, jurors heard transcripts of Gray being interviewed by police the day after Ellie’s death. Gray described Butler as a “very nice, kind, loving man” who was devoted to his daughter.Earlier, jurors heard transcripts of Gray being interviewed by police the day after Ellie’s death. Gray described Butler as a “very nice, kind, loving man” who was devoted to his daughter.
She said: “Me and him, we just have a very, very strong relationship. I have always been very happy.” She said: “Me and him, we just have a very, very strong relationship. I have always been very happy.” While they thought differently in many ways, she said: “At the end of the day, we have known each other for eight years and we always agree on things.”
While they thought differently in many ways, she said: “At the end of the day, we have known each other for eight years and we always agree on things.” She continued: “He is actually completely different from what people imagine. He’s not all those things people say. Around me he’s been great. He has been a rock for me. A very nice, kind, loving man.”
She went on: “He is actually completely different from what people imagine. He’s not all those things people say. Around me he’s been great. He has been a rock for me. A very nice, kind, loving man.”
She said that Ellie “means the world to him”.She said that Ellie “means the world to him”.
The trial continues.The trial continues.