A nursery manager on trial for the manslaughter of a baby girl ‘took against’ the child for ‘some inexplicable reason’ – and was heard singing ‘stop your whinging’ to her days before she died – jurors have heard.
Manchester Crown Court has been shown CCTV footage from Tiny Toes Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, prior to the death of Genevieve Zofia Meehan.
In it, deputy nursery manager Kate Roughley was seen by jurors interacting with the nine-month-old. The baby was found unresponsive on May 9, 2022.
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Prosecutors allege Genevieve was strapped face down to a bean bag by Ms Roughley, who swaddled her so tightly in a blanket she was unable to move.
Ms Roughley, 36, allegedly strapped Genevieve with a harness and left her there crying and thrashing for more than half an hour, jurors have previously heard.
While Genevieve struggled, Ms Roughley ignored her cries and placed a blanket on top of her that covered her almost head to foot, prosecutors allege.
Ms Roughley has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter; and an alternative count of child cruelty.
On the second day of the trial, prosecutors played CCTV from the nursery from May 6, which prosecutors allege showed Ms Roughley had appeared to have ‘taken against’ Genevieve for ‘some inexplicable reason’.
In one clip, Genevieve was seen crying. Ms Roughley, the court heard, sang: “Genevieve, Genevieve… stop your whinging Genevieve.”
Later that morning, the court heard Ms Roughley moved Genevieve to a better seating position after she had rolled over. The court heard she said: “Woah, I knew you weren’t sat right. Sit properly, stress head. No, stop throwing yourself about in a strop.”
At around 11am, Ms Roughley, the jury heard, was seen picking up Genevieve, who was crying, under her armpits and carrying her across the room before putting her in a high chair. Jurors heard she then told her: “I hate to say I told you so, but you should have slept better Genevieve… no, you silly girl.”
“You better go home early today,” jurors heard Ms Roughley said. Genevieve remained sitting in the high chair, appearing to still be crying, jurors heard. Ms Roughley, the court heard, then told her: “Genevieve I’ll put you right the way down there so I can’t hear you.”
While feeding the child, Ms Roughley, jurors heard, said: “Genevieve you eat this then go to bed, or don’t eat it and go to bed.”
That afternoon, Genevieve could be heard crying, the court heard. Ms Roughley, jurors heard, said: “Do have to be so loud and so constant? Oh Genevieve, change the record… Genevieve be quiet.”
At around 3pm, Genevieve was sat in a high chair being fed by Ms Roughley, the court heard, who put her on the floor. She then said, jurors heard: “I can’t believe she just broke my nail, anything else Genevieve?
“She’s the only child that has been a bit of a [inaudible] today and I’m just going to give her the benefit of the doubt because she is new. Genevieve if we had any chance of being friends, you just blew it.”
At 4.13pm, the child was sat on a playmat crying, the court heard. Ms Roughley, jurors were told, could be heard singing to her: “Genevieve, go home please, I’m even asking nicely – you are driving me bananas and they ain’t even wearing pyjamas.”
Ms Roughley, of Heaton Norris, Stockport, denies manslaughter; and an alternative count of child cruelty.
Proceeding
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
