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Nanny cleared in baby death case | Nanny cleared in baby death case |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A nanny accused of killing the baby son of two police officers has been cleared after a judge directed a jury to find her not guilty. | A nanny accused of killing the baby son of two police officers has been cleared after a judge directed a jury to find her not guilty. |
The prosecution alleged Linda Wise, 47, shook Isaac Rowlinson when he was just 13 weeks old, causing brain damage. | The prosecution alleged Linda Wise, 47, shook Isaac Rowlinson when he was just 13 weeks old, causing brain damage. |
Isaac, the son of Lancashire Police detectives Lisa and Paul Rowlinson, died 10 months later. | Isaac, the son of Lancashire Police detectives Lisa and Paul Rowlinson, died 10 months later. |
At Liverpool Crown Court Miss Wise, of Gaerwen, Anglesey, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. | At Liverpool Crown Court Miss Wise, of Gaerwen, Anglesey, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. |
Mr Justice David Clarke had informed the defence and prosecution on Thursday, in the absence of the jury, that he considered there was insufficient evidence against the defendant. | Mr Justice David Clarke had informed the defence and prosecution on Thursday, in the absence of the jury, that he considered there was insufficient evidence against the defendant. |
The judge told the jury on Friday, after a five-week trial, he had been "greatly troubled" by the prosecution evidence since around halfway through the case. | The judge told the jury on Friday, after a five-week trial, he had been "greatly troubled" by the prosecution evidence since around halfway through the case. |
Among other reasons, he said, in his view the jury could not reasonably conclude that the bleeding on Isaac's brain took place in the timeframe alleged by prosecutors. | Among other reasons, he said, in his view the jury could not reasonably conclude that the bleeding on Isaac's brain took place in the timeframe alleged by prosecutors. |
Isaac died 10 months after the alleged incident | Isaac died 10 months after the alleged incident |
He added: "Yesterday, when I indicated the ruling I am giving today, I said there were no winners in this case. | He added: "Yesterday, when I indicated the ruling I am giving today, I said there were no winners in this case. |
"The loss to the parents of Isaac is incalculable and the defendant herself has been under a cloud of suspicion for a long time. | "The loss to the parents of Isaac is incalculable and the defendant herself has been under a cloud of suspicion for a long time. |
"And that cloud may not lift at once now the case has come to an end." | "And that cloud may not lift at once now the case has come to an end." |
Mrs Rowlinson, 38, a detective constable, and her 41-year-old husband, a detective inspector, did not attend court on Friday. | Mrs Rowlinson, 38, a detective constable, and her 41-year-old husband, a detective inspector, did not attend court on Friday. |
The jury had heard Isaac's health troubles caused Mrs Rowlinson, 38, to suffer post-natal depression and sleepless nights. | The jury had heard Isaac's health troubles caused Mrs Rowlinson, 38, to suffer post-natal depression and sleepless nights. |
She and her 41-year-old husband, Paul, a detective inspector, decided to cash in their savings and hire a maternity nurse to help with the baby. | She and her 41-year-old husband, Paul, a detective inspector, decided to cash in their savings and hire a maternity nurse to help with the baby. |
Outside court, Miss Wise's solicitor, Neil Hampson, read a statement on her behalf. | Outside court, Miss Wise's solicitor, Neil Hampson, read a statement on her behalf. |
It said: "The last two years of my life have been put on hold because of the dreadful allegations made against me. | It said: "The last two years of my life have been put on hold because of the dreadful allegations made against me. |
Mr and Mrs Rowlinson were away when their son became ill | Mr and Mrs Rowlinson were away when their son became ill |
"I have dedicated the last 25 years to caring for babies and young children. | "I have dedicated the last 25 years to caring for babies and young children. |
"I have never harmed a child in my care and would never do so. And I certainly did not harm baby Isaac. | "I have never harmed a child in my care and would never do so. And I certainly did not harm baby Isaac. |
"Despite the allegations made against me I have nothing but sympathy for Paul and Lisa Rowlinson. | "Despite the allegations made against me I have nothing but sympathy for Paul and Lisa Rowlinson. |
"They have lost their beloved child and nothing will bring him back. | "They have lost their beloved child and nothing will bring him back. |
"I have been totally vindicated by the outcome of today but the prosecution has effectively put an end to my career in healthcare." | "I have been totally vindicated by the outcome of today but the prosecution has effectively put an end to my career in healthcare." |
Det Supt Mick Gradwell, of Lancashire Constabulary's Major Investigation Team, who led the inquiry, said: "While we are naturally disappointed with this outcome, from the outset this has been an incredibly complex investigation. | Det Supt Mick Gradwell, of Lancashire Constabulary's Major Investigation Team, who led the inquiry, said: "While we are naturally disappointed with this outcome, from the outset this has been an incredibly complex investigation. |
"We respect the judge's ruling and accept his comments. | "We respect the judge's ruling and accept his comments. |
"Our thoughts remain with Paul and Lisa who, regardless of the outcome of this case, have lost their son." | "Our thoughts remain with Paul and Lisa who, regardless of the outcome of this case, have lost their son." |