The murder suspect from Darlington moved in with the boy just days before his death

A man accused of murdering his partner’s son moved in with the family a week before the boy’s death, a court has heard.

Charlie Roberts, aged 22 months, suffered a fatal head injury at his home in Darlington, Teesside Crown Court on January 12.

Christopher Stockton, 38, dated Charlie’s mother Paula Roberts, 41, for about a year and moved into their home seven days before Charlie was injured.

Mr Stockton denies murder and child abuse and Ms Roberts denies child neglect.

The court previously heard that Mr Stockton had called 999 shortly after 9am GMT on January 12 to say Charlie was choking and had fallen unconscious.

Charlie was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where scans revealed severe bleeding around his brain which led to his death the following day, the court heard.

On Thursday, jurors heard dozens of messages exchanged between Mr Stockton, Ms Roberts and various relatives and friends in the months leading up to Charlie’s death.

In one message, Mr Stockton said Charlie had hit him so he put the toddler in the “naughty corner”, with a photo sent showing the boy standing in the corner of a room facing the wall.

The court heard that Mr Stockton moved to Ms Roberts’ home on Frosterley Drive on January 5 to recover after he was diagnosed with pneumonia.

On January 7, Mr Stockton’s mother took Charlie to a soft play center for the day.

In her messages, she described Charlie as a “happy little boy” who was a “pleasure to have.”

Later that week, Charlie was taken to hospital after allegedly falling out of bed and hitting his head, the court heard.

He had a bruise near his ear and was vomiting, the court heard, as a doctor told jurors It was unlikely that the bruised ear had been caused by accident.

Jurors also heard messages in which Mr Stockton’s mother urged him to think seriously about his relationship with Ms Roberts and decide whether to fully commit as Charlie became attached to him.

The process continues.