Things like that are usually released after sentencing so hopefully it will get more coverage then.
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I agree. I think the same comments were made on here about not much MSM media coverage with the Preston case, but it all cam out after sentencing (as could still be classed as prejudicial I think in influencing sentencing).
There definitely hasn’t been as much coverage on this case but as already said, I think a lot of that is the Preston case was a lot more sensational and click bait for the media. I’ve not read much online but have just caught up here, I think it helps this thread is smaller so has been easier for me. Whereas some threads move so fast I find it hard to keep up.
Irrelevant of anything else, it is absolutely heartbreaking so many children are being failed by those who are meant to protect them. Sadly I’m not surprised the HV wrote off the complaint after just a phone call. Having needed some support myself (SEND area), I have found the service to be severely lacking. Sometimes I wonder if it’s the lack of funding, but I also found a lot of staff to be entirely uncaring and unwilling to help. I dread to imagine if my calls for help had been related to a child at risk. Perhaps my own position of a SAHM, not receiving any universal credit/state benefits meant I wasn’t seen as “needy” enough but surely the service is there to help, it is there for the children. I’ve paid into the system for years when I worked. It is broken and unfit for purpose just like most other things in this country.
Thank you very much to those who added the court updates here. I just wanted to add my own thoughts but I hope more will come out following their sentencing. I think AW absolutely knew HS was abusing her daughter - how couldn’t she. She did the searches, didn’t like him bathing her daughter, locked him out of the bathroom while she was dressing her but worst of all left Isabelle alone with him. Surely she should and could have done more to protect her daughter. I think the hesitation in taking Isabelle to hospital with the leg fracture was because she knew full well what would happen and what would be said. When it did, she became aggressive and threatening to the staff, along with her mother. That was her way of trying to get them to back down. It is absolutely appalling the HV signed off on this. I hope they are dealt with appropriately as they are clearly not fit for purpose in that role. As for AW’s mother, there has been many comments over her lack of intervening to save Isabelle. I think she was perhaps fearful of AW and her clear violent and controlling ways. She didn’t meet HS, yet was happy enough for him to live with her granddaughter after barely knowing her daughter. She is just as guilty. I suspect as other comments, AW said things about Isabelle’s dad that weren’t true which led to the NMO. Not saying they weren’t entirely incorrect but more likely severely exaggerated. What’s not to say AW threatened her mother, that if she tried to say anything about HS that she would suffer the same fate? That she wouldn’t get to see Isabelle. AW’s mother and step father seemed to see them a lot during the week. They took food over the day before Isabelle’s death. That indicates they did care, they did make effort but perhaps it was toeing the line so to speak.
HS didn’t give evidence. I would say that yes this does lead us all to think he’s guilty, he’s accepting of that and perhaps the evidence is so strong he knew it was a waste of breath to argue or perhaps he doesn’t have the brain cells to stand up in court and talk. There doesn’t seem to be any coverage of his side of things. Surely he’s been found guilty from the evidence provided in court rather than they’ve just presumed he is because he lived there. It’ll be interesting to see what they have on him.
My only thoughts as to why AW has not really been direct or clear in what happened, more a “he was the only person who could have hurt Isabelle” comments is that she was clearly more invested in her relationship with him than protecting her own daughter. They were dealing drugs. Surely this meant that AW had more money than she’d had previously. There was mention of her having her hair done and leaving Isabelle with HS for a long time. Maybe this hadn’t been something before that was possible. I wonder if the lure of the additional money was attractive to her. Hence happy to keep HS around, even if it meant putting her daughter at risk.
My overriding thought however, is along the lines of what sadly other posters have said are their experiences here. HS had an inappropriate interest in her daughter. AW then saw Isabelle as a rival for his love and attention. She mentioned they had a strange sex life, but very regular. That he wanted her to do things she wasn’t comfortable with. I dread to imagine what she means by this. I think that speaks volumes in terms of the evidence we’ve read so far and is most likely in my opinion the reason this all happened.
That poor little girl. Some people are just not worthy of children.
Irrelevant of anything else, it is absolutely heartbreaking so many children are being failed by those who are meant to protect them. Sadly I’m not surprised the HV wrote off the complaint after just a phone call. Having needed some support myself (SEND area), I have found the service to be severely lacking. Sometimes I wonder if it’s the lack of funding, but I also found a lot of staff to be entirely uncaring and unwilling to help. I dread to imagine if my calls for help had been related to a child at risk. Perhaps my own position of a SAHM, not receiving any universal credit/state benefits meant I wasn’t seen as “needy” enough but surely the service is there to help, it is there for the children. I’ve paid into the system for years when I worked. It is broken and unfit for purpose just like most other things in this country.
Thank you very much to those who added the court updates here. I just wanted to add my own thoughts but I hope more will come out following their sentencing. I think AW absolutely knew HS was abusing her daughter - how couldn’t she. She did the searches, didn’t like him bathing her daughter, locked him out of the bathroom while she was dressing her but worst of all left Isabelle alone with him. Surely she should and could have done more to protect her daughter. I think the hesitation in taking Isabelle to hospital with the leg fracture was because she knew full well what would happen and what would be said. When it did, she became aggressive and threatening to the staff, along with her mother. That was her way of trying to get them to back down. It is absolutely appalling the HV signed off on this. I hope they are dealt with appropriately as they are clearly not fit for purpose in that role. As for AW’s mother, there has been many comments over her lack of intervening to save Isabelle. I think she was perhaps fearful of AW and her clear violent and controlling ways. She didn’t meet HS, yet was happy enough for him to live with her granddaughter after barely knowing her daughter. She is just as guilty. I suspect as other comments, AW said things about Isabelle’s dad that weren’t true which led to the NMO. Not saying they weren’t entirely incorrect but more likely severely exaggerated. What’s not to say AW threatened her mother, that if she tried to say anything about HS that she would suffer the same fate? That she wouldn’t get to see Isabelle. AW’s mother and step father seemed to see them a lot during the week. They took food over the day before Isabelle’s death. That indicates they did care, they did make effort but perhaps it was toeing the line so to speak.
HS didn’t give evidence. I would say that yes this does lead us all to think he’s guilty, he’s accepting of that and perhaps the evidence is so strong he knew it was a waste of breath to argue or perhaps he doesn’t have the brain cells to stand up in court and talk. There doesn’t seem to be any coverage of his side of things. Surely he’s been found guilty from the evidence provided in court rather than they’ve just presumed he is because he lived there. It’ll be interesting to see what they have on him.
My only thoughts as to why AW has not really been direct or clear in what happened, more a “he was the only person who could have hurt Isabelle” comments is that she was clearly more invested in her relationship with him than protecting her own daughter. They were dealing drugs. Surely this meant that AW had more money than she’d had previously. There was mention of her having her hair done and leaving Isabelle with HS for a long time. Maybe this hadn’t been something before that was possible. I wonder if the lure of the additional money was attractive to her. Hence happy to keep HS around, even if it meant putting her daughter at risk.
My overriding thought however, is along the lines of what sadly other posters have said are their experiences here. HS had an inappropriate interest in her daughter. AW then saw Isabelle as a rival for his love and attention. She mentioned they had a strange sex life, but very regular. That he wanted her to do things she wasn’t comfortable with. I dread to imagine what she means by this. I think that speaks volumes in terms of the evidence we’ve read so far and is most likely in my opinion the reason this all happened.
That poor little girl. Some people are just not worthy of children.
I’m only on page 17, so apologies if this is a repeat post.
Parents who have SS involvement have started having cameras in their own home. It’s used by many to disprove accusations of abuse, it also has the added benefit of intimidating social workers etc when they visit their homes.
little Arthur’s family had them , she used to abuse him off camera as much as possible. However she obviously slipped up at times and that’s why we’ve seen the heartbreaking footage of him saying no one is going to feed me today and no one loves me. As his family ate McDonalds outside as a treat and he was starved indoors.
Parents who have SS involvement have started having cameras in their own home. It’s used by many to disprove accusations of abuse, it also has the added benefit of intimidating social workers etc when they visit their homes.
little Arthur’s family had them , she used to abuse him off camera as much as possible. However she obviously slipped up at times and that’s why we’ve seen the heartbreaking footage of him saying no one is going to feed me today and no one loves me. As his family ate McDonalds outside as a treat and he was starved indoors.
Poor little Isabelle 
Is sentencing today?
Yes the Echo are posting updates but behind a paywall.
Sentencing updates so far:
11:14am30/07/26
Short adjournment
The Honourable Ms Justice Norton has risen to consider the sentences to be imposed on both defendants.
She tells them she will return in around 30 minutes to pass judgement.
11:12am30/07/26
Walker mitigation
A written statement has been provided to the judge by her defence lawyer, Olivia Randell.
Honourable Ms Justice Norton says the statement does not take into account the evidence heard during the trial in relation to Walker's knowledge of the abuse suffered by her daughter.
Alexandra Walker (Image: Cleveland Police)
11:08am30/07/26
Simpson mitigation
Nicholas Lumley KC, representing Harrison Simpson, is now addressing the judge on behalf of his client.
He has provided the judge with a written statement outlining his client's mitigation.
Harrison Simpson (Image: Cleveland Police)
11:04am30/07/26
Prosecution case
Paul Abrahams, representing the prosecution, is now outlining the sentencing guidelines to the court.
He says the pair are facing a mandatory life sentence following their conviction for murder.
Mr Abrahams says there is no doubt that Isabelle had been sexually assaulted - Simpson was convicted of the charge while Walker was found not guilty.
He says the fatal head injury and some sexual abuse occurred in the final hours of the two-year-old's life.
The court hears how Simpson was of previous good character until his convictions earlier this week.
Mr Abrahams says the sexual abuse and murder should result in a lengthening of the 22-year-old's minimum jail term.
Dealing with Walker, the barrister says there are the aggravating factors of Isabelle's vulnerability and a gross breach of trust, should be taken into account by the judge when passing sentence.
Isabelle Welsh (Image: Family handout)
10:53am30/07/26
Background details
The pair were also convicted of child neglect while 22-year-old Simpson was also found guilty of sexually abusing the two-year-old girl.
Isabelle Welsh suffered weeks of sexual and physical abuse before sustaining a fatal brain injury when her head was smashed against a solid object.
You can read the report here - Child killers Alexandra Walker and Harrison Simpson
10:51am30/07/26
Sentencing hearing
Alexandra Walker and Harrison Simpson are due to sentenced for the murder of Isabelle Welsh.
Her 26-year-old mother and her new boyfriend were convicted following a trial at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday.
Short adjournment
The Honourable Ms Justice Norton has risen to consider the sentences to be imposed on both defendants.
She tells them she will return in around 30 minutes to pass judgement.
11:12am30/07/26
Walker mitigation
A written statement has been provided to the judge by her defence lawyer, Olivia Randell.
Honourable Ms Justice Norton says the statement does not take into account the evidence heard during the trial in relation to Walker's knowledge of the abuse suffered by her daughter.
Alexandra Walker (Image: Cleveland Police)
11:08am30/07/26
Simpson mitigation
Nicholas Lumley KC, representing Harrison Simpson, is now addressing the judge on behalf of his client.
He has provided the judge with a written statement outlining his client's mitigation.
Harrison Simpson (Image: Cleveland Police)
11:04am30/07/26
Prosecution case
Paul Abrahams, representing the prosecution, is now outlining the sentencing guidelines to the court.
He says the pair are facing a mandatory life sentence following their conviction for murder.
Mr Abrahams says there is no doubt that Isabelle had been sexually assaulted - Simpson was convicted of the charge while Walker was found not guilty.
He says the fatal head injury and some sexual abuse occurred in the final hours of the two-year-old's life.
The court hears how Simpson was of previous good character until his convictions earlier this week.
Mr Abrahams says the sexual abuse and murder should result in a lengthening of the 22-year-old's minimum jail term.
Dealing with Walker, the barrister says there are the aggravating factors of Isabelle's vulnerability and a gross breach of trust, should be taken into account by the judge when passing sentence.
Isabelle Welsh (Image: Family handout)
10:53am30/07/26
Background details
The pair were also convicted of child neglect while 22-year-old Simpson was also found guilty of sexually abusing the two-year-old girl.
Isabelle Welsh suffered weeks of sexual and physical abuse before sustaining a fatal brain injury when her head was smashed against a solid object.
You can read the report here - Child killers Alexandra Walker and Harrison Simpson
10:51am30/07/26
Sentencing hearing
Alexandra Walker and Harrison Simpson are due to sentenced for the murder of Isabelle Welsh.
Her 26-year-old mother and her new boyfriend were convicted following a trial at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday.
I’ve just realised the “reader” trick works. You load the page on safari and quickly go into reader mode then you can access it.
Ooo thanks for this - it works!! I’ve been doing the airplane mode but have to do it several times cos I’m far too slow.
12:05pm 30/07/26
Sentencing remarks
The judge, the Honourable Ms Justice Norton, is now passing sentence on both defendants.
She says the murder of a young child is particularly 'distressing' for everyone concerned and passes on her condolences to those 'who truly loved Isabelle'.
Outlining the details of the case, she says that Isabelle suffered a fatal head injury on September 12 before succumbing to her injuries the following day - 'they were unsurvivable'.
She says Isabelle suffered another head injury four days' earlier and had bruising to her stomach 'likely caused by a punch'.
Dealing with her multiple injuries, she says some were caused up to six-eight weeks before her death and had fresh bruising to her genitals caused within hours of her death.
She says it it impossible to assign particular injuries to either defendant but there was nothing appropriate in the way they dealt with her physical injuries.
HS - life with a minimum of 28 years and 6 months
AW - life with a minimum of 22 years
AW - life with a minimum of 22 years
Hope they both rot. There are times I wish I believed in a literal hell.
Wonder why it wasn't a WLO
Possibly because they couldn't say for definite who committed which atrocity - just that both were involved.
Yeah good point.
Wonder why we haven't got any footage or anything. Poor Isabelle theres not much about her short life we know, just these terrible things that happened
I don’t know because she did say the abuse was sadistic but said there was no evidence of a prior sexual interest in children. I just think this is one of the worst cases I have read about. HS must have started hurting Isabelle as soon as they got together. He showed total disregard for Isabelle’s humanity. I feel like he went into a house where a tiny girl was already being neglected and treated like crap so it was “anything goes”.
100% I don’t think she had a very nice life even before he came along despite the stupid grandmother claiming she was well looked after
Hang on, is this the bio father!?
I don’t feel the sentences are long enough but I couldn’t imagine anything worse than what they subjected Isabelle too.
Here’s hoping they are utterly tormented every single day by the horrendous things they did to Isabelle.
Here’s hoping they are utterly tormented every single day by the horrendous things they did to Isabelle.
I’ve thought about her comment a lot. She said “Isabelle was always immaculately dressed”. I actually think she couldn’t say anything other than that, she was clutching at straws. She knew full well Isabelle wasn’t cared for. That little girl deserved to be adored and treasured. It doesn’t feel like anyone actually really cared about her.