Mother Accused of Toddler’s Murder Breaks Down in Court as She Denies Ever Hurting Her Daughter

A mother accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter has tearfully told a jury that, although she sometimes became frustrated as a parent, she never took those feelings out on her child.

Alexandra Walker, 26, is standing trial alongside her boyfriend, Harrison Simpson, 22, over the death of toddler Isabelle Welsh. Both deny charges of murder, allowing the death of a child, sexual assault and child cruelty.

The trial at Teesside Crown Court has heard that Isabelle suffered a “massive head injury” before collapsing at her home on Hartington Close, Thornaby.

Prosecutors have also alleged that the toddler was physically and sexually abused and had sustained 21 broken bones in the weeks before her death in September 2025.

Mother denies causing Isabelle’s injuries

Walker began giving evidence on Wednesday, July 15.

In an emotional appearance before the jury, she denied ever shaking Isabelle, hitting her against a wall or causing fractures to her arm, leg, spine or skull.

Walker said she would never have tolerated anyone harming her daughter.

“If I had seen anyone being violent towards Isabelle, I would have kicked them out of my house and phoned the police,” she told the court.

She also strongly denied allegations that she had sexually abused Isabelle or encouraged someone else to do so, saying the accusations had “absolutely destroyed” her.

Walker described her daughter as the most important person in her life.

She told jurors that becoming a mother had been “the happiest day of my life” and that she felt “unconditional love” when Isabelle was born.

‘I got frustrated being a parent at times’

The court was also shown evidence relating to a private conversation in which Walker referred to her daughter using an offensive insult.

When asked about the comment, Walker said she was deeply ashamed of what she had said.

She explained that Isabelle had been going through the process of being weaned off her dummy and had become “more whingy than usual.”

Walker acknowledged that she sometimes became frustrated with the challenges of parenting, but insisted that those feelings never translated into violence toward her daughter.

“I admit I got frustrated being a parent at times but I never took it out on my daughter,” she said.

Walker describes her relationship with Simpson

Walker also told the court about her previous relationships, including an abusive relationship with Isabelle’s father.

She said her confidence was already “not good” when she met Simpson.

According to Walker, Simpson knew she had a child from her dating profile and initially treated both her and Isabelle kindly.

She later alleged that Simpson pressured her to sell cannabis. At one point, she said, she stabbed herself with a knife in an attempt to “get out of selling drugs.”

Walker told jurors that Isabelle’s health deteriorated after she began her relationship with Simpson.

However, she said she did not believe he would harm her daughter when the two were alone together.

When asked who mattered most to her — Isabelle or her boyfriend — Walker gave a clear answer:

“Isabelle.”

Trial continues

Nicholas Lumley KC, representing Simpson, had previously told the court that his client would not be giving evidence.

Walker and Simpson continue to deny all the charges against them.

The trial at Teesside Crown Court is ongoing.