Poppi Worthington: Father who 'probably sexually assaulted' 13-month-old daughter before death being intimated on daily basis, coroner is told

Paul Worthington's lawyer says there are concerns of 'real danger' if he gives evidence at his daughter's inquest

The tragedy of Poppi Worthington has arguably become the most notorious child death case in the UK

A coroner has been told that a father who “probably sexually assaulted” his 13-month-old daughter before her sudden death is being intimidated on a daily basis.

Paul Worthington, 48, from Barrow, Cumbria, was initially arrested on suspicion of sexual assault, an allegation he denies, but has never been charged.

But in January this year Mr Justice Peter Jackson handed down his judgment in care proceedings that ruled that the youngster had probably been sexually assaulted by Mr Worthington on December 12, 2012.

The original inquest in October 2014, by then Cumbria coroner Ian Smith, lasted just seven minutes and called no evidence. It was later judged “irregular” in the High Court.

Following the judgment, senior coroner for Cumbria David Roberts quashed the inquest and ordered a new one.

At a pre-inquest hearing held in Carlisle, Paul Clark, who is representing Mr Worthington - who was not present at the hearing - said there were concerns of “real danger” for Mr Worthington if he gave evidence.

He said that practical consideration should be given including the venue, and spoke of the “level of risk and the level of intimidation he experiences on a daily basis”.

Mr Roberts said: “I don't disagree, the matter needs to be managed. It's something we need to address.”

The coroner will have to consider whether to adopt and admit Mr Justice Jackson's findings when the fresh inquest investigating Poppi's death gets underway in the Autumn. It is expected to last around a week.

Mr Clark said that it would be an “error” to adopt “opinion evidence”.

Mr Roberts said: “There are a number of matters I can't make a final decision on. I'm not going to make a ruling orally today on this point. There are a number of issues I need to think about.

Authorities had sought to keep details surrounding Poppi's death private, but legal applications by the Press meant a damning judgment into the case was made public for the first time earlier this year.

The new inquest will investigate and ascertain “how, when and where” Poppi came by her death, which includes consideration of Poppi's medical cause of death and “by what means” it came about.

Mr Roberts told the hearing that he was “anxious to address the case”, which was in the interests of everyone and not least Poppi.

He said that if the Crown Prosecution Service was to take any criminal proceedings against Mr Worthington he must suspend the inquest but added “I haven't had such a request”.

Counsel to the inquest Alison Hewitt said: “The inquest must investigate and address, seek to ascertain the question of who Poppi was but also the question of how, when and where Poppi came by her death.

”The how she came by her death has two elements which are of course, what her medical of death was, and how that medical cause of death came about.“

She added that the inquest would explore broader circumstances and ask whether any state agency knew or ought to have known about risks to Poppi and, if so, what steps were taken.

The hearing was told that the coroner would also be seeking full transcripts of the High Court and the Family Division proceedings.

Mr Roberts has a discretion to consider whether he ought to admit into the evidence the findings set out in the judgment.

He added: “The process of this inquest will try to establish matters in the most clear and transparent way.”

A further pre-inquest will be held on July 25 this year at a venue to be confirmed.

PA