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| Daniel Pelka murder trial: Mother tried 'to hide bruises' | |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| A mother accused of starving and murdering her son has told a court she avoided taking him to a doctor because he was always covered in bruises. | A mother accused of starving and murdering her son has told a court she avoided taking him to a doctor because he was always covered in bruises. |
| Magdelena Luczak claimed four-year-old Daniel Pelka was mistreated by his stepfather, Mariusz Krezolek. | Magdelena Luczak claimed four-year-old Daniel Pelka was mistreated by his stepfather, Mariusz Krezolek. |
| Daniel died in hospital in Coventry on 3 March 2012 from severe head injuries. | Daniel died in hospital in Coventry on 3 March 2012 from severe head injuries. |
| The pair deny murder and causing or allowing the death of a child in the trial at Birmingham Crown Court. They have admitted a charge of cruelty. | The pair deny murder and causing or allowing the death of a child in the trial at Birmingham Crown Court. They have admitted a charge of cruelty. |
| 'Lots of bruises' | 'Lots of bruises' |
| Giving evidence for a second day, Ms Luczak, 27, was questioned by Mr Krezolek's barrister about why she had not taken Daniel to a doctor as he lost weight. | Giving evidence for a second day, Ms Luczak, 27, was questioned by Mr Krezolek's barrister about why she had not taken Daniel to a doctor as he lost weight. |
| She responded: "Because Daniel would always have a lot of bruises". | She responded: "Because Daniel would always have a lot of bruises". |
| "I tried to make it secret, what was happening to him. That is why I didn't go to the doctor." | "I tried to make it secret, what was happening to him. That is why I didn't go to the doctor." |
| Mr Krezolek's QC, Nigel Lambert, then asked Ms Luczak: "Why on earth would you do that to your son?" | Mr Krezolek's QC, Nigel Lambert, then asked Ms Luczak: "Why on earth would you do that to your son?" |
| Speaking through a Polish interpreter, Daniel's mother, who came to the UK in 2006, replied: "I don't know it myself. I don't understand my behaviour. | Speaking through a Polish interpreter, Daniel's mother, who came to the UK in 2006, replied: "I don't know it myself. I don't understand my behaviour. |
| "It wasn't me, it was Mariusz but I knew what was happening. I myself don't understand my actions. I must have loved Mariusz to allow such a thing." | "It wasn't me, it was Mariusz but I knew what was happening. I myself don't understand my actions. I must have loved Mariusz to allow such a thing." |
| Ms Luczak told jurors yesterday that her partner also tried to strangle her as he twice attacked Daniel in their home. | Ms Luczak told jurors yesterday that her partner also tried to strangle her as he twice attacked Daniel in their home. |
| She said she witnessed the separate assaults on 1 March last year, two days before an ambulance was called for the boy. | She said she witnessed the separate assaults on 1 March last year, two days before an ambulance was called for the boy. |
| 'Calculated and manipulative' | 'Calculated and manipulative' |
| Mr Lambert asked the four-year-old's mother why she had not told the truth to police after she had been arrested with her partner. | Mr Lambert asked the four-year-old's mother why she had not told the truth to police after she had been arrested with her partner. |
| Ms Luczak said: "Because I should have called the police after Mariusz hit Daniel on the head. I should have checked on him. | Ms Luczak said: "Because I should have called the police after Mariusz hit Daniel on the head. I should have checked on him. |
| "I don't know what I was driven by when I was not telling the truth. I wanted to make it secret, all that took place. | "I don't know what I was driven by when I was not telling the truth. I wanted to make it secret, all that took place. |
| "I was guilty myself and I shouldn't have allowed Mariusz to treat Daniel like that." | "I was guilty myself and I shouldn't have allowed Mariusz to treat Daniel like that." |
| Mr Lambert described Ms Luczak's evidence as "nonsense" and put it to her that she had acted in a "calculated, manipulative and deceitful way" during police interviews to cover up her own "terrible deed" in killing Daniel. | Mr Lambert described Ms Luczak's evidence as "nonsense" and put it to her that she had acted in a "calculated, manipulative and deceitful way" during police interviews to cover up her own "terrible deed" in killing Daniel. |
| "I did not kill my child," Luczak answered. | "I did not kill my child," Luczak answered. |
| The trial continues. | The trial continues. |