Pathologist accused of ‘jumping to conclusions’ over toddler’s death

A DOCTOR who first raised concerns about the sudden death of Poppi Worthington rushed to judgment over potential child abuse and lost her professionalism, a court has heard.

Home Office pathologist Alison Armour jumped to conclusions at the post-mortem examination on the 13-month-old and her views became “tainted” after police told her of “unsubstantiated” allegations about her father, Paul Worthington, the girl’s inquest at Kendal Coroner’s Court was told.

Dr Armour concluded that Poppi, who was bleeding when rushed to hospital, had been seriously sexually assaulted shortly before her death.

The toddler (below) at home in Barrow, Cumbria, in the early hours of December 12 2012, and was pronounced dead in hospital an hour later.

Mr Worthington (49) was ruled to have probably sexually assaulted her before her death, according to a judge during family court proceedings.

Detectives at Cumbria Police, who dismissed Dr Armour’s initial suggestion of child abuse as

collapsed “rash”, botched their investigation which meant vital evidence was lost, and the Crown Prosecution Service has twice ruled there is now insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone over Poppi’s death. Her father, who is now in hiding, has never been charged with any offence and denies any wrongdoing.

His lawyer, Leslie Thomas QC, said two fractures to Poppi’s right leg, only discovered after her death, could have been caused accidentally, according to at least three other medical experts.

Yet Dr Armour’s report concluded: “This girl was the victim of a physical assault.”

Mr Thomas said this was a conclusion which, on the evidence, she was not entitled to make.

He said: “You can’t just jump to the conclusion that this physical injury was as a result of physical assault. The injuries Poppi had may be completely innocent. It may be her parents weren’t watching. How did you come to that conclusion?”

Dr Armour replied: “Poppi was under 18 months of age. Fractures identified in children under 18 months are typically associated with abuse.

“There was no injury or circumstance that account for the injury. There was more than one fracture. That’s why I say what I do and still do today.”

Before Dr Armour carried out her post-mortem examination, she was told by police of two items of intelligence of a sexual nature relating to Mr Worthington that proved, later, to be, “completely without foundation”.

“I’m going to suggest, Dr Armour, you, before you conducted your post-mortem, you had been tainted? You may have been influenced by what you were told?”

Dr Armour replied: “No, not at all in any way.”

The hearing continues.