POPPI DIED ‘AFTER DAD SEX ATTACK’
Toddler suffocated in bed
A DAD faced a police probe last night after a coroner ruled he sexually assaulted his toddler daughter then left her to die in his bed.
Poppi Worthington suffocated when she fell asleep next to her father Paul after he had abused her in 2012, an inquest found.
He was never charged because of insufficient evidence due to police bungles.
But yesterday coroner David Roberts announced he found Poppi had been subjected to a serious sex assault in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Last night Cumbria chief constable Jerry Graham said his force would discuss “possible courses of action” with prosecutors.
Sexual assault by penetration carries a maximum life jail sentence.
Mr Graham offered his “sincere apologies” to Poppi’s family for “deficiencies in the initial police investigation”.
Poppi’s mum left the hearing in tears as the coroner announced his belief her daughter was sexually assaulted before her death.
Her lawyer Fiona McGhie said the mum – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was “disappointed” Mr Worthington refused to answer 252 questions about his daughter’s death during the inquest.
He reserved his right to silence to avoid incriminating himself even when asked if he smothered Poppi as he abused her.
Ms McGhie said: “The past five years have been a complete nightmare for her.
“She is disappointed that Poppi’s father chose to rely on his right not to answer questions which may incriminate him.
“She considers he should have given the coroner the crucial evidence of Poppi’s last few hours.’’
But Mr Worthington, who was in hiding last night, may now sue the police claiming their gaffes had robbed him of the chance to prove his innocence.
His sister Tracy said: “He is in bits. He feels like a lamb led to the slaughter.”
Chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal, who approved the original decision not to charge Mr Worthington, said: “I had a strong suspicion that Poppi died after being sexually abused.”
Last night a Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said while there were “no plans” to review its charging direction its lawyers would “consider any referral from the coroner”.