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| Poppi Worthington inquest: Toddler 'was sexually abused' | Poppi Worthington inquest: Toddler 'was sexually abused' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Toddler Poppi Worthington was sexually abused by her father before she died, a coroner has ruled, finding her death was caused by asphyxia. | Toddler Poppi Worthington was sexually abused by her father before she died, a coroner has ruled, finding her death was caused by asphyxia. |
| Coroner David Roberts said Paul Worthington assaulted his daughter in his bed, laid a cover over her and went to sleep. | Coroner David Roberts said Paul Worthington assaulted his daughter in his bed, laid a cover over her and went to sleep. |
| He said she died because her ability to breathe was compromised as a result of "an unsafe sleeping environment." | He said she died because her ability to breathe was compromised as a result of "an unsafe sleeping environment." |
| Mr Roberts said her father's account of events did not "stand up to scrutiny". | Mr Roberts said her father's account of events did not "stand up to scrutiny". |
| Latest updates as the coroner delivers his inquest findings | Latest updates as the coroner delivers his inquest findings |
| Key dates in the Poppi investigation | |
| During the three-week inquest at Kendal Coroner's Court, Poppi's father declined to answer 252 questions relating to the circumstances surrounding her death on 12 December 2012. | During the three-week inquest at Kendal Coroner's Court, Poppi's father declined to answer 252 questions relating to the circumstances surrounding her death on 12 December 2012. |
| However, Mr Worthington did tell the hearing he had gone to get Poppi to get a fresh nappy and a few minutes later he reached over and found her limp. | |
| He said he rushed downstairs and Poppi's mother, who was asleep there, called an ambulance. | |
| The 13-month-old was pronounced dead at Furness General Hospital shortly after. | The 13-month-old was pronounced dead at Furness General Hospital shortly after. |
| Having heard contradictory evidence from expert medical witnesses, Mr Roberts said he believed Mr Worthington penetrated Poppi's anus, probably with a finger, and the assault stopped when the youngster cried out in pain. | |
| He said a conclusion of unlawful killing was not available to him as he was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Poppi died from an act of murder or manslaughter. | |
| Mr Roberts added Poppi was suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection which, along with being placed in her father's bed, compromised her ability to breathe. | |
| Lawyers acting for Mr Worthington said he was "considering his options". | |
| In January 2016 - as part of family court proceedings involving Poppi's siblings - a judge revealed in his findings that Mr Worthington "probably" sexually assaulted his daughter shortly before her death. | |
| Mr Worthington has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any offence, with the Crown Prosecution Service saying there is insufficient evidence. | Mr Worthington has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any offence, with the Crown Prosecution Service saying there is insufficient evidence. |
| The latest hearing was told an investigation by Cumbria Police was so botched vital evidence was lost - meaning exactly what happened to Poppi will never be known. | |
| It was the second inquest into Poppi's death. | |
| The first, in 2014 and with a different coroner, lasted less than eight minutes and concluded the cause of her death was "unascertained". |