GUILTY UK - Hollie Ashurst, 14 months, murdered, Wigan, 3 Jan 2019 *father arrested*
- Thread starter Ann Blyth
- Start date
Day 5:
10.30am Trial resumes
Mr Justice Dove and the jury have now arrived in the courtroom. Ashurst is in the dock. The prosecution will carry on with its case today. The first witness is Sarah Louise Jolley.
She's known Ashurst since 2015 after meeting through a gym in Wigan. She creates diet plans for people. Ashurst asked her to make a personalised plan for him and arranged to collect it on the morning of February 28. He went to her house at around 11.30am. She says it seemed like something was bothering him. "I couldn't put my finger on it."
Mrs Jolley is now being cross-examined. She'd only seen Ashurst in the gym before and had chit-chat, but never outside the gym. They'd exchanged Facebook messages too. Ashurst asked questions about the diet plan while at her house and swapping foods on it.
Nina Grahame QC, defending, says Hollie was in the car. Mrs Jolley says she didn't see her but he told her she was there. She agrees with suggestion Ashurst was "tense".
Mrs Jolley is now leaving the witness box.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
10.30am Trial resumes
Mr Justice Dove and the jury have now arrived in the courtroom. Ashurst is in the dock. The prosecution will carry on with its case today. The first witness is Sarah Louise Jolley.
She's known Ashurst since 2015 after meeting through a gym in Wigan. She creates diet plans for people. Ashurst asked her to make a personalised plan for him and arranged to collect it on the morning of February 28. He went to her house at around 11.30am. She says it seemed like something was bothering him. "I couldn't put my finger on it."
Mrs Jolley is now being cross-examined. She'd only seen Ashurst in the gym before and had chit-chat, but never outside the gym. They'd exchanged Facebook messages too. Ashurst asked questions about the diet plan while at her house and swapping foods on it.
Nina Grahame QC, defending, says Hollie was in the car. Mrs Jolley says she didn't see her but he told her she was there. She agrees with suggestion Ashurst was "tense".
Mrs Jolley is now leaving the witness box.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
10.40am Next witness
Prosecutor Guy Gozem QC now calls forensic scientist Helen Myhill to the stand. She's been a forensic scientist since 1989 and is employed by Key Forensic Services in Coventry. She specialises in the examination of biological evidence.
She examined a number of items in this case, including things recovered from the family home in Shevington and the shorts worn by Ashurst on the day Hollie collapsed.
https://www.wigantoday.net/news/cri...ates-as-prosecution-case-continues-1-10249466
10.40am Next witness
Prosecutor Guy Gozem QC now calls forensic scientist Helen Myhill to the stand. She's been a forensic scientist since 1989 and is employed by Key Forensic Services in Coventry. She specialises in the examination of biological evidence.
She examined a number of items in this case, including things recovered from the family home in Shevington and the shorts worn by Ashurst on the day Hollie collapsed.
https://www.wigantoday.net/news/cri...ates-as-prosecution-case-continues-1-10249466
Day 5:
10.50am
Ms Myhill had DNA profiles for Hollie, Ashurst and his partner Leanne Thompson. She examined items from the house for the presence of blood.
The first items were a baby wipe and tissue from inside a nappy sack in the bin in the kitchen. The baby wipe and tissue looked to have blood on them. Tests showed the baby wipe had blood on it from Hollie and minor DNA components from Ashurst. The tissue also had major component from Hollie and minor from Ashurst.
Three small blood stains found on the duvet in the main bedroom. Two were combined to be analysed. It contained a mixture of DNA from at least two people. The major contributor was Hollie and minor was Ashurst.
Swabs from a stairwell had the same DNA result.
A grey towel was recovered from the bedroom which had an area of blood staining towards one of the edges. There was a mixture of DNA on it from at least three people. Hollie was the major contributor and Ashurst was a minor contributor.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
10.50am
Ms Myhill had DNA profiles for Hollie, Ashurst and his partner Leanne Thompson. She examined items from the house for the presence of blood.
The first items were a baby wipe and tissue from inside a nappy sack in the bin in the kitchen. The baby wipe and tissue looked to have blood on them. Tests showed the baby wipe had blood on it from Hollie and minor DNA components from Ashurst. The tissue also had major component from Hollie and minor from Ashurst.
Three small blood stains found on the duvet in the main bedroom. Two were combined to be analysed. It contained a mixture of DNA from at least two people. The major contributor was Hollie and minor was Ashurst.
Swabs from a stairwell had the same DNA result.
A grey towel was recovered from the bedroom which had an area of blood staining towards one of the edges. There was a mixture of DNA on it from at least three people. Hollie was the major contributor and Ashurst was a minor contributor.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
10.55am Short break
The shorts Ashurst wore that day were also analysed. They have been brought to court, but the defence barrister hasn't seen them yet so there's going to be a short break while she looks at them before Mrs Myhill continues to give her evidence. The judge and jury have left the courtroom.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
10.55am Short break
The shorts Ashurst wore that day were also analysed. They have been brought to court, but the defence barrister hasn't seen them yet so there's going to be a short break while she looks at them before Mrs Myhill continues to give her evidence. The judge and jury have left the courtroom.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
11.15am Shorts
The judge and jury have now returned and Mrs Myhill will continue to give evidence.
The shorts are here, but aren't being shown to the jury yet because court staff are waiting for gloves.
Examination of the shorts found evidence of ripping to the upper and lower parts of the opening of the front right pocket. The seams indicated the damage was recent and the shorts had not been laundered since.
There was also damage to the lower part of the opening of the left pocket. She couldn't establish when that damage happened as there were no visible stitch marks.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
11.15am Shorts
The judge and jury have now returned and Mrs Myhill will continue to give evidence.
The shorts are here, but aren't being shown to the jury yet because court staff are waiting for gloves.
Examination of the shorts found evidence of ripping to the upper and lower parts of the opening of the front right pocket. The seams indicated the damage was recent and the shorts had not been laundered since.
There was also damage to the lower part of the opening of the left pocket. She couldn't establish when that damage happened as there were no visible stitch marks.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
11.20am
Ashurst's defence statement said he carried Hollie down the stairs at their home and his shorts caught on something, causing him to slip and the pocket in his shorts to tear. He didn't specify which pocket.
Mrs Myhill says that if going downstairs, the newel post and plaque Ashurst says he caught his shorts on would be on the left-hand side. The jury is looking at photographs from the house.
The more recent damage was to the right pocket of the shorts, rather than the left.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
11.20am
Ashurst's defence statement said he carried Hollie down the stairs at their home and his shorts caught on something, causing him to slip and the pocket in his shorts to tear. He didn't specify which pocket.
Mrs Myhill says that if going downstairs, the newel post and plaque Ashurst says he caught his shorts on would be on the left-hand side. The jury is looking at photographs from the house.
The more recent damage was to the right pocket of the shorts, rather than the left.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
11.30am
Mr Gozem says that in body worn footage, Ashurst told his partner Leanne Thompson he had ripped the shorts when he got in the ambulance.
Mrs Myhill will now be cross-examined by Ms Grahame.
https://www.wigantoday.net/news/cri...ates-as-prosecution-case-continues-1-10249466
11.30am
Mr Gozem says that in body worn footage, Ashurst told his partner Leanne Thompson he had ripped the shorts when he got in the ambulance.
Mrs Myhill will now be cross-examined by Ms Grahame.
https://www.wigantoday.net/news/cri...ates-as-prosecution-case-continues-1-10249466
(More added for 11:30):
Day 5:
11.30am
Mr Gozem says that in body worn footage, Ashurst told his partner Leanne Thompson he had ripped the shorts when he got in the ambulance.
Mrs Myhill will now be cross-examined by Ms Grahame. She confirms Ashurst's DNA found on the items could be from any bodily fluid, whether blood, saliva, moisture from hands, sweat etc.
The towel contained DNA from at least three people. Mrs Myhill believes the major contribution from Hollie was blood.
Ms Myhill confirms she can't say when the damage was caused to the left-hand pocket. It might be recent but might not be. There were stretched and pulled seams to other areas of the shorts too, where they weren't ripped but pressure had been applied.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
11.30am
Mr Gozem says that in body worn footage, Ashurst told his partner Leanne Thompson he had ripped the shorts when he got in the ambulance.
Mrs Myhill will now be cross-examined by Ms Grahame. She confirms Ashurst's DNA found on the items could be from any bodily fluid, whether blood, saliva, moisture from hands, sweat etc.
The towel contained DNA from at least three people. Mrs Myhill believes the major contribution from Hollie was blood.
Ms Myhill confirms she can't say when the damage was caused to the left-hand pocket. It might be recent but might not be. There were stretched and pulled seams to other areas of the shorts too, where they weren't ripped but pressure had been applied.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
11.35am Jury sees shorts
The shorts are now being shown to the jury, held up by a member of court staff wearing gloves. They are black shorts with a thin red line at the side.
Mrs Myhill has now been allowed to leave the witness box.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
11.35am Jury sees shorts
The shorts are now being shown to the jury, held up by a member of court staff wearing gloves. They are black shorts with a thin red line at the side.
Mrs Myhill has now been allowed to leave the witness box.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
11.35am
The next witness called by prosecutor Guy Gozem QC is Janet Armstrong. She's a senior nurse practitioner at Claire House in Ince, where she's worked for the past eight or nine years.
She saw Ashurst there on January 9, 2019. She would have looked at notes before seeing him and seen he'd had a telephone assessment on November 18, 2018. During the January appointment, they discussed his medication and she arranged to see him again.
Mrs Armstrong saw him again on February 27. He said his GP had recently changed his medication and he was due to start a new dose that evening.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
11.35am
The next witness called by prosecutor Guy Gozem QC is Janet Armstrong. She's a senior nurse practitioner at Claire House in Ince, where she's worked for the past eight or nine years.
She saw Ashurst there on January 9, 2019. She would have looked at notes before seeing him and seen he'd had a telephone assessment on November 18, 2018. During the January appointment, they discussed his medication and she arranged to see him again.
Mrs Armstrong saw him again on February 27. He said his GP had recently changed his medication and he was due to start a new dose that evening.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
11.50am
In the notes from the appointment on January 9, Ashurst reported his medication had been increased by his GP two to three weeks earlier but he didn't see any benefits to his anxiety. He was taking medication at night but had difficulty sleeping. He had physical symptoms of anxiety. They discussed therapy and he said he was willing to have it consider it when medication was stable, but had no benefits previously.
He was drinking to manage his anxiety and reported he had contacted Addaction and was waiting for an appointment. He had reduced his alcohol intake with support from his partner who was on extended maternity leave. If she returned to work, they did not feel Ashurst would be able to manage Hollie on his own, the court heard.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
11.50am
In the notes from the appointment on January 9, Ashurst reported his medication had been increased by his GP two to three weeks earlier but he didn't see any benefits to his anxiety. He was taking medication at night but had difficulty sleeping. He had physical symptoms of anxiety. They discussed therapy and he said he was willing to have it consider it when medication was stable, but had no benefits previously.
He was drinking to manage his anxiety and reported he had contacted Addaction and was waiting for an appointment. He had reduced his alcohol intake with support from his partner who was on extended maternity leave. If she returned to work, they did not feel Ashurst would be able to manage Hollie on his own, the court heard.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
11.55am
On February 27, Ashurst said his medication had been changed by his GP since the previous appointment. He had reduced his alcohol intake and had physical symptoms of withdrawal, which had not been present for two days. He denied having suicidal thoughts.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
11.55am
On February 27, Ashurst said his medication had been changed by his GP since the previous appointment. He had reduced his alcohol intake and had physical symptoms of withdrawal, which had not been present for two days. He denied having suicidal thoughts.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
Noon Cross-examination
Ms Grahame is now cross-examining Mrs Armstrong and going through some of the medical records. She refers to a record from 2017 when he had severe depression and anxiety.
In one record, when Hollie was two weeks old, the medical records show his "face lit up with happiness" when he spoke about his new baby. He had not had thoughts of suicide or self-harm since her birth.
Ms Grahame is going through various records. She refers to one in February 2018 when Ashurst said his mood remained low and he was not sleeping well. He was discharged from Claire House's care just over a week later. His depression and anxiety seem to be under control.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Noon Cross-examination
Ms Grahame is now cross-examining Mrs Armstrong and going through some of the medical records. She refers to a record from 2017 when he had severe depression and anxiety.
In one record, when Hollie was two weeks old, the medical records show his "face lit up with happiness" when he spoke about his new baby. He had not had thoughts of suicide or self-harm since her birth.
Ms Grahame is going through various records. She refers to one in February 2018 when Ashurst said his mood remained low and he was not sleeping well. He was discharged from Claire House's care just over a week later. His depression and anxiety seem to be under control.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
12.05pm
Ashurst got back in contact with Claire House in October 2018. He was drinking four cans a day to help with anxiety. He had the telephone assessment and then saw Mrs Armstrong in January 2019. He said he had contacted Addaction and was waiting for an appointment. His alcohol intake had reduced with support from his partner, he said.
Mrs Armstrong says she doesn't recollect this appointment and is relying on the notes from the meeting. Ms Grahame is asking if she remembers various things, such as Ashurst looking after Hollie a lot and plans for his partner to go back to work part-time, but she doesn't remember. Ms Grahame suggests Ashurst wasn't concerned about caring for Hollie, but Mrs Armstrong says she makes accurate notes.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
12.05pm
Ashurst got back in contact with Claire House in October 2018. He was drinking four cans a day to help with anxiety. He had the telephone assessment and then saw Mrs Armstrong in January 2019. He said he had contacted Addaction and was waiting for an appointment. His alcohol intake had reduced with support from his partner, he said.
Mrs Armstrong says she doesn't recollect this appointment and is relying on the notes from the meeting. Ms Grahame is asking if she remembers various things, such as Ashurst looking after Hollie a lot and plans for his partner to go back to work part-time, but she doesn't remember. Ms Grahame suggests Ashurst wasn't concerned about caring for Hollie, but Mrs Armstrong says she makes accurate notes.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
12.15pm February 27 appointment
Ms Grahame is explaining to the jury what safeguarding issues are. Mrs Armstrong says she would contact social care if she had safeguarding concerns about a patient or their family. Neither her nor her colleagues raised any concerns relating to Ashurst.
Mrs Armstrong is now leaving the witness stand.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
12.15pm February 27 appointment
Ms Grahame is explaining to the jury what safeguarding issues are. Mrs Armstrong says she would contact social care if she had safeguarding concerns about a patient or their family. Neither her nor her colleagues raised any concerns relating to Ashurst.
Mrs Armstrong is now leaving the witness stand.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
12.20pm Next witness
Now taking to the stand is PC Carl Smith. He was asked to go to Wigan Infirmary at around 2pm on February 28 where a child was in cardiac arrest. He arrived at 2.15pm and found Hollie, who was being treated by a lot of people. He spoke to ambulance staff and then introduced himself to Hollie's parents. He was wearing a body-worn video camera, which was front facing and attached to his stab vest.
The footage is now being shown to the jury. He's speaking to Ashurst and partner Leanne Thomspon and asks what happened. Ashurst says he was putting washing away and thinks Hollie slipped down a step at the top of the stairs. She got back up and was crying and holding her breath, which he says she did a lot, but he thought something was different and decided to take her to hospital. On the way there, she became unresponsive so he went to the medical centre instead.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
12.20pm Next witness
Now taking to the stand is PC Carl Smith. He was asked to go to Wigan Infirmary at around 2pm on February 28 where a child was in cardiac arrest. He arrived at 2.15pm and found Hollie, who was being treated by a lot of people. He spoke to ambulance staff and then introduced himself to Hollie's parents. He was wearing a body-worn video camera, which was front facing and attached to his stab vest.
The footage is now being shown to the jury. He's speaking to Ashurst and partner Leanne Thomspon and asks what happened. Ashurst says he was putting washing away and thinks Hollie slipped down a step at the top of the stairs. She got back up and was crying and holding her breath, which he says she did a lot, but he thought something was different and decided to take her to hospital. On the way there, she became unresponsive so he went to the medical centre instead.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
12.30pm
The decision was made to transfer Hollie from Wigan Infirmary to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. PC Smith drove Ashurst and Ms Thompson to Manchester and stayed in a room with them.
The jury has been sent out briefly while preparations are made for the next part of the evidence.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
12.30pm
The decision was made to transfer Hollie from Wigan Infirmary to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. PC Smith drove Ashurst and Ms Thompson to Manchester and stayed in a room with them.
The jury has been sent out briefly while preparations are made for the next part of the evidence.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
12.45pm
The jury is back in and will now be shown more footage from PC Smith's body-worn camera. It's from the waiting room at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. He's speaking to Ashurst and Ms Thompson. Ashurst says Hollie was always banging herself and spoke about her "taking out" a coffee table the week before as she tried to stand up.
Another part of the video is now shown. Ms Thompson says to Ashurst that he has ripped his shorts. Ashurst says: "I know, it was when I got in that ambulance at Standish." He says he was told he could sit in a chair and his shorts caught on something.
Ashurst is wearing dark shorts and a T-shirt in the video. He's sitting in the waiting room with Ms Thompson and the police officer.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
12.45pm
The jury is back in and will now be shown more footage from PC Smith's body-worn camera. It's from the waiting room at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. He's speaking to Ashurst and Ms Thompson. Ashurst says Hollie was always banging herself and spoke about her "taking out" a coffee table the week before as she tried to stand up.
Another part of the video is now shown. Ms Thompson says to Ashurst that he has ripped his shorts. Ashurst says: "I know, it was when I got in that ambulance at Standish." He says he was told he could sit in a chair and his shorts caught on something.
Ashurst is wearing dark shorts and a T-shirt in the video. He's sitting in the waiting room with Ms Thompson and the police officer.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
Day 5:
2.10pm Trial resumes
The judge and jury have returned and PC Carl Smith is back in the witness box as the case resumes this afternoon.
The court is being shown his footage of Ashurst being arrested. He's sitting in a room at the hospital alone and is told he's being arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault. He doesn't seem to say much initially. It's difficult to hear the things he says as he's being searched by the officers. During the search he says: "It's crazy, absolutely crazy" but it's not clear what he's referring to. The jurors have a transcript.
Ms Grahame QC, defending, asks PC Smith if Ashurst says he doesn't want to leave Hollie and starts crying at the end. He says this is correct.
PC Smith now leaves the witness stand.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
2.10pm Trial resumes
The judge and jury have returned and PC Carl Smith is back in the witness box as the case resumes this afternoon.
The court is being shown his footage of Ashurst being arrested. He's sitting in a room at the hospital alone and is told he's being arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault. He doesn't seem to say much initially. It's difficult to hear the things he says as he's being searched by the officers. During the search he says: "It's crazy, absolutely crazy" but it's not clear what he's referring to. The jurors have a transcript.
Ms Grahame QC, defending, asks PC Smith if Ashurst says he doesn't want to leave Hollie and starts crying at the end. He says this is correct.
PC Smith now leaves the witness stand.
Baby Hollie Ashurst murder trial: LIVE updates as prosecution case continues
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