Published: 2024-03-11 by, News Team in the Local news category

Mother Denies Murder as Plastic Surgeon Testifies Child Was Forcibly Immersed in Hot Water

In a gripping turn of events at the murder trial in Durham, a plastic surgeon has revealed shocking details, alleging that three-year-old Dwelaniyah Robinson was forcibly immersed in scalding water.

Christina Robinson, 30, vehemently denies the charges of murdering her son, Dwelaniyah Robinson, at their residence in Durham on November 5, 2022.

During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Ms. Robinson asserted to the police that Dwelaniyah sustained his burns accidentally while playing in the shower, the jury was informed.

However, consultant Timothy Burge, in his testimony, contested Ms. Robinson's narrative, stating that it would have been "physically impossible" for the injuries to have occurred in a shower.

Mr. Burge, who meticulously examined photographs of the child as part of the police investigation, highlighted that 15-20% of Dwelaniyah's skin surface had been severely burnt.

He emphasized, "The child has been put into the water as distinct to the child getting into the water itself."

Further revelations surfaced earlier in the trial when Dr. Lekshmi Nair, a consultant pediatrician at the University Hospital of North Durham, presented medical evidence suggesting Dwelaniyah was "held down in boiling water" prior to his demise.

Dr. Nair detailed the burns on Dwelaniyah's body, describing them as "typical of immersion burns" indicative of a child being "held in hot, boiling water."

Additionally, she noted numerous bruises on the child's body, including the chest and abdomen, suggesting "non-accidental injury."

Dr. Nair also highlighted friction scars, indicating "long-standing neglect," and swelling in Dwelaniyah's abdomen, likely caused by external trauma.

CT scans revealed "acute, recent bleeding inside the skull," indicative of severe trauma.

Despite Ms. Robinson's claims of treating Dwelaniyah's burn injuries at home due to her knowledge of first aid, Dr. Nair insisted the severity of his injuries warranted admission to a burns unit.

Dwelaniyah tragically passed away in November 2022 after enduring weeks of excruciating pain, according to Dr. Nair.

Ms. Robinson, residing in Bracken Court, Ushaw Moor, has pleaded not guilty to murder and child cruelty charges.

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