Bruises horror

Feb 21 2008 By Ross Mccarthy

STAFF treating a 14-month-old boy brought into a Birmingham hospital said bruises covering his body were the worst they had ever seen on a child.

It is alleged that Cameron Rose was "battered" by his mother's boyfriend, Nicholas Kirnon, who was left to look after him.

Kirnon, 22, has denied murdering the toddler while the boy's mother, 22-year-old Sarah-Louise Rose denies manslaughter and allowing the death of a child.

James Burbidge QC, prosecuting, told Birmingham Crown Court the defendant had been living at Kempson Road, Bromford, and that Kirnon had been left to care for Cameron while his mother was out at work.

He said on May 10 last year the boy was rushed to Heartlands Hospital where he was pronounced dead and was found to have suffered horrific internal injuries, especially to his liver and bowel.

Lorraine Mucklow, a specialist in critical care at Heartlands, said she was part of a team who received Cameron at the resuscitation unit.

She said that was when she voiced concerns to a paediatric doctor.

Asked by Mr Burbidge: "Have you ever seen bruising like that on a child?" she replied: "No."

Mrs Mucklow said that Kirnon was in the hospital and described him as being "hysterical".

She added that at one point Kirnon tried to touch Cameron but was prevented from doing so and that he threw himself on the floor and started crying.

Patricia Ingram, a nurse at the A&E, said in a statement: "In the five years I have worked in the A&E department I have seen some horrible injuries. This small child was the most severe I had ever seen with an apparent non-accidental injury."

It is alleged that Sara-Louise Rose knew Kirnon had hit her son but had turned a blind eye to the risk of leaving her boyfriend in charge of him.

(Proceeding)