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 | | Wednesday, 5 September, 2001, 12:07 GMT 13:07 UK Doctor examined girl before death  Lauren Wright's body was covered with 60 bruises A court has heard that a six-year-old girl allegedly neglected and killed by her stepmother and father was examined by a doctor three months before she died. Dr Eamon Clarke was told that Lauren Wright was suffering from headaches, tiredness, dizziness, nose bleeds and that her hair was falling out. A neighbour of the Wrights also told Norwich Crown Court that he had anonymously reported his concerns about Lauren's treatment to social services. Tracey Wright, 31, and Craig Wright, 38, both of Welney, Norfolk, deny manslaughter and wilful neglect. Surgery visit Dr Clarke told the court that he had seen Lauren at a surgery in Welney village hall on 9 February 2000. "I was told Lauren was complaining of headaches, tiredness, dizziness. That her hair was falling out and she had nose bleeds," he said.
He found bruises which he said Tracey Wright had told him were caused by a playground fall. "The main significant findings were two bruises. One on the right cheek, one on the left forearm. "She had no other signs of illness at that time apart from the fact that she was a rather pale child." He referred Lauren to a specialist at a hospital in King's Lynn. In a referral letter to the hospital Dr Clarke wrote: "We are still unable to explain why this child is feeling so poorly at the moment." 'Scared look' Dr Clarke said he had not seen Lauren again although medical records showed that she had visited another doctor at the Upwell surgery in mid March.
The next note on Lauren's medical record after that referred to her death, he added. A neighbour of the Wrights told the court he telephoned social services anonymously a few weeks before Lauren died to report his concerns about the way the child was being treated. Steve Arlington said Lauren was always covered up even on hot days and had a "weary and scared look about her". He said there were occasions when "you knew something was wrong". Jurors have been told that Lauren was found dead at her home in Welney on 6 May last year. She died from a blow to the stomach that caused her digestive system to collapse. She had 60 bruises on her shoulders, arms, cheek, chest, abdomen, with 19 on her legs and shins caused by kicks or blows with an object. The trial continues. | | See also:  Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top UK stories now:  Links to more UK stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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