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Poppi Worthington inquest: Toddler suffered injuries caused by sexual assault, coroner rules Poppi Worthington inquest: Toddler suffered injuries caused by sexual assault, coroner rules
(35 minutes later)
A toddler suffered injuries caused by serious sexual assault at her family home before her death, a coroner has ruled.A toddler suffered injuries caused by serious sexual assault at her family home before her death, a coroner has ruled.
Poppi Worthington died in 2012, with an original seven-minute inquest that declared her death unexplained later being quashed by the High Court.Poppi Worthington died in 2012, with an original seven-minute inquest that declared her death unexplained later being quashed by the High Court.
The second inquest, held in Kendal, heard that the 13-month-old woke up screaming at her family home in Barrow-in-Furness on 12 December.The second inquest, held in Kendal, heard that the 13-month-old woke up screaming at her family home in Barrow-in-Furness on 12 December.
Her father, Paul Worthington, said he put her in his bed and went to get a fresh nappy, but five or 10 minutes later he reached over to find she was limp or floppy. Her father, Paul Worthington, said he put her in his bed and went to get a fresh nappy, but five or 10 minutes later he reached over to find she was limp or floppy. 
Mr Worthington rushed downstairs and Poppi’s mother, sleeping downstairs, called an ambulance.Mr Worthington rushed downstairs and Poppi’s mother, sleeping downstairs, called an ambulance.
Paramedics took her to Furness General Hospital at 6.11am but she never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead shortly after 7am.Paramedics took her to Furness General Hospital at 6.11am but she never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead shortly after 7am.
Medics noted the child was bleeding anally and in January 2016, a family court judge presiding over proceedings involving Poppi's siblings said that in the balance of probability Mr Worthington sexually assaulted his daughter by anal penetration shortly before her death.Medics noted the child was bleeding anally and in January 2016, a family court judge presiding over proceedings involving Poppi's siblings said that in the balance of probability Mr Worthington sexually assaulted his daughter by anal penetration shortly before her death.
The father appeared before the inquest to give evidence but used a rule meaning that inquest witnesses are not obliged to answer incriminating questions 252 times. Lord Justice Peter Jackson said at the time that Poppi's "significant bleeding" found within 15 minutes of the 999 call made by her parents could only be explained as the result of penetrative trauma.
Mr Worthington appeared before the inquest to give evidence but used a rule meaning that inquest witnesses are not obliged to answer incriminating questions 252 times.
He described his daughter as a "bully" at a previous hearing and would not explain how her DNA came to be on his penis, refusing to recount the hours leading up to Poppi's death.
“I refer to my previous statements under Rule 22," the 49-year-old repeated.
David Roberts, HM senior coroner for Cumbria, said Mr Worthington's account did not “stand up to scrutiny”.David Roberts, HM senior coroner for Cumbria, said Mr Worthington's account did not “stand up to scrutiny”.
He recorded a narrative verdict after telling the inquest that the option of “unlawful killing” was not available to him because of a lack of evidence indicating murder of manslaughter. "As a result it was difficult to assess his overall demeanour and honesty," he added.
Mr Roberts said that although Poppi was penetrated before her death, it was not the cause and she did not die immediately afterwards. "In the circumstances I conclude I could not form any reliable view as to his honesty based on his performance in the witness box."
The coroner recorded a narrative verdict after telling the inquest that the option of “unlawful killing” was not available to him because of a lack of evidence indicating murder of manslaughter.
Mr Roberts ruled at some point after 2.30am on 12 December 2012, Poppi was taken from her cot and sexually assaulted by anal penetration, although it was not the cause of her death.
The toddler, who was suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection at the time, died from asphyxia.The toddler, who was suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection at the time, died from asphyxia.
Mr Roberts told the inquest her ability to breathe was compromised by an “unsafe sleeping environment” after her father took her from her cot and placed her next to him in his double bed.Mr Roberts told the inquest her ability to breathe was compromised by an “unsafe sleeping environment” after her father took her from her cot and placed her next to him in his double bed.
“The deceased died as a result of her ability to breathe being compromised by an unsafe sleeping environment,” he concluded.“The deceased died as a result of her ability to breathe being compromised by an unsafe sleeping environment,” he concluded.
Mr Worthington has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any offence as the Crown Prosecution Service say there is insufficient evidence. Her mother appeared to be distressed for much of Monday's three hour hearing, leaving the court during graphic medical evidence about her daughter and when the coroner ruled she had probably been anally penetrated.
The cause of Poppi's cause of death remains ”unascertained“, medical experts told the inquest. Mr Worthington has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any offence as the Crown Prosecution Service says there is insufficient evidence.
The cause of Poppi's cause of death remains "unascertained", medical experts told the inquest.
The post-mortem examination findings of pathologist Dr Alison Armour, who said that that Poppi had been penetrated and had tears in her bottom, were disputed.The post-mortem examination findings of pathologist Dr Alison Armour, who said that that Poppi had been penetrated and had tears in her bottom, were disputed.
Cumbria Police's investigation into the death saw vital evidence lost and witnesses interviewed for months, meaning that there is no forensic way of telling what happened to the child. Cumbria Police lost vital evidence and failed to interview witnesses for several months, meaning that there is no forensic way of telling what happened to the child.
In an investigation that concluded last year, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said senior detectives were ”unstructured and disorganised“, highlighting the lengthy delay into a criminal investigation taking place ”despite there being significant suspicious circumstances from the outset'“.In an investigation that concluded last year, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said senior detectives were ”unstructured and disorganised“, highlighting the lengthy delay into a criminal investigation taking place ”despite there being significant suspicious circumstances from the outset'“.
Lawyers for Poppi's mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Mr Worthington both entered submissions saying there was not enough evidence for the coroner to conclude the toddler was unlawfully killed.Lawyers for Poppi's mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Mr Worthington both entered submissions saying there was not enough evidence for the coroner to conclude the toddler was unlawfully killed.
But Gillian Irving QC, representing Poppi's mother, argued there was ”clear evidence“ that she was subject to a ”penetrative anal assault“. But Gillian Irving QC, representing Poppi's mother, argued there was "clear evidence" that she was subject to a "penetrative anal assault".
Claiming the evidence of Dr Armour was ”tainted“ and ”unsafe“, Mr Worthington’s representative Leslie Thomas QC said an open verdict was appropriate as there was not enough evidence to reach any other conclusion. Claiming the evidence of Dr Armour was "tainted" and "unsafe", Mr Worthington’s representative Leslie Thomas QC said an open verdict was appropriate as there was not enough evidence to reach any other conclusion.
In a statement, his lawyers added: "Mr Worthington is considering his options following the coroner's conclusion today and we are advising him not to say anything further at this point."
Additional reporting by PAAdditional reporting by PA