Isabella Wheildon, two, whose body was found in Sidegate Lane, Ipswich, was subjected to ‘escalated brutality’ in lead up to death, Ipswich Crown Court hears

A toddler who was found dead in Ipswich was subjected to ‘escalated brutality’ which was ‘callous, cruel and ultimately fatal’, a court was told.

The trial of Chelsea Gleason-Mitchell and Scott Jeff, both 24 and of no fixed address, but formerly of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, began at Ipswich Crown Court today.

They stand accused of the murder of two-year-old Isabella Wheildon, after her body was discovered at East Villa, a council-run temporary housing unit in Sidegate Lane on June 30, 2023.

Between them they were accused of eight offences, with each charged with one count of murder, one of causing or allowing the death of a child, one of cruelty to a child under 16 in relation to cocaine plus one of cruelty to a child under 16 with relation to cannabis.

Gleason-Mitchell pleaded not guilty to murder, but admitted all other charges. Jeff pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Sally Howes KC, who is leading the prosecution against the couple, told the court that police were called to the unit shortly after 11am after a friend disclosed to officers that her friend’s daughter died in her sleep.

A police officer arrived to a flat at the complex to find it empty and the bathroom locked. Upon opening, he sensed a stale smell before finding a toddler’s body in a pushchair in the shower, with bruises up and down her body, black eyes and blankets on top of her.

A post-mortem examination found ‘extensive external traumatic injuries’ to the soft tissues of the body, Ms Howes told the court.

This included the neck, torso, limbs and back. Isabella had also suffered fractures to both wrists and a complex pelvic fracture involving several bones.

Microscopic exams found fractures across Isabella’s body dated between six and 24 hours, 48 to 96 hours, and eight to 14 days before her death.

Isabella’s cause of death was certified as a bone marrow embolism caused by skeletal trauma, which Ms Howes attributed to physical abuse, namely kicking or stamping, by Jeff.

Gleason-Mitchell wept in the dock as Mr Howes said the young mother stood back, watched, did nothing and ‘allowed this to happen’.

Ms Howes said: “It is the prosecution’s case that Isabella was a healthy, contented and well cared for little girl until Scott Jeff came into her young life.

“She was two years and nine months old at time of death. Towards the end of May 2023, he [Jeff] entered into a relationship with Gleason-Mitchell.

“From that time until her death, she was subjected to a regime of escalated brutality, which was callous, cruel and ultimately fatal.”

Isabella Wheildon was born on September 22, 2020.

Gleason-Mitchell worked as a nursery assistant until May 2023 and was said to have excelled at her job, Ms Howes said.

After she quit her job, the couple, with Isabella, spent time at caravan parks and hotels in Great Yarmouth.

CCTV footage also spotted Gleason-Mitchell and Jeff walking around without Isabella, Ms Howes told the court.

After looking for housing in Great Yarmouth, the pair were offered a flat at East Villa in Ipswich. Between June 20 and 25, CCTV captured Isabella ‘motionless’ in her pushchair.

Ms Howes said the prosecution believed Isabella died on June 26.

Ms Howes alleged that pair pushed around Isabella’s body for a few days before they locked her in the bathroom and fled.

The pair left East Villa and headed to Bury St Edmunds, being arrested Mustow Street on July 1.

Ms Howes said Jeff refused to comment during interviews with police and later prepared two statements where he said he didn’t abuse Isabella.

During interviews, Gleason-Mitchell said Jeff began to physically abuse Isabella while in Great Yarmouth, which also included placing Isabella in a cold shower.

During three different statements, she placed Isabella’s death to different dates.

The trial continues.