Chesterfield baby Finley Boden’s “daily experience” was “pain and distress”, says doctor

Doctor Sarah Dixon said “each” of the 57 fractures the youngster was found with would have caused “severe and protracted” pain.

The medic confirmed in evidence heard at Derby Crown Court today that the 10-month-old’s “daily experience” would have been “pain and distress”.

Finley died in the early hours of Christmas Day – 39 days after he was returned to his parents from care.

The toddler suffered 130 separate injuries including 57 fractures – breaks to his collar bone, shoulder, shin, thigh bones, pelvis and ribs and two burns in the days leading to his death.

Boden, 29, and Marsden, 21, both deny murder, cruelty to a person under 16 and causing or allowing the death of a child.

A jury was told today that the majority of the infant’s fractures and other injuries would have occurred between seven and fourteen days before Finley’s death.

As the symptoms of sepsis took hold the child would have become more “subdued” and “drowsy”.

However the doctor added: “When Finley was in good health before infection took hold I would expect that pain would be obvious.”

The court heard fractures such as the broken thigh bone that Finley suffered would have required hospital treatment – including immobilisation through traction.

While “strong painkillers” such as morphine and codeine would have been prescribed for “days” afterwards to ease the infant’s suffering – however Finley was only given Calpol.

The doctor was asked whether multiple bruising discovered on the baby’s body could have been explained by septicemia and resulting poor blood clotting.

She said: “Considering evidence of bruising in the context of other injuries, including fractures, I acknowledge that increases my index of suspicion that the bruises were due to impact trauma.

"Sudden and extensive bruising is alarming to the lay person - for a parent of a young child it’s a powerful reason for wanting to get a medical perspective.

"My experience is of parents worrying that something is wrong with the baby.”

In evidence heard previously both defendants made reference to a “clicking” sound around Finley’s chest.

Dr Dixon confirmed this was indicative of rib fractures which had not yet healed, adding that the “movement” of the fractured area would have caused “pain”.

As Finley’s health declined further and he developed pneumonia the doctor added that would have caused more discomfort due to his rib fractures.

She said: “I would expect him to be in a lot of pain and to not want to feed – I would expect breathing to be uncomfortable and he would not enjoy playing.”

The trial continues.