I did not know my little girl was dying. I did not turn away. I did not see anything to give me concern

Craig Wright

The prosecution says she was struck so hard in the stomach that her digestive system collapsed.

It is also alleged that the girl had 60 bruises on her body when she died - including marks made by a hard object, possibly a stick.

Mr Wright told the jury that he did not see any bruises on Lauren's body in the week leading to her death.

If he had seen them he would have "reacted", he said, adding that he would have "taken her away" if he knew she was being mistreated.

Lauren Wright died at home last year

"I wasn't looking for them and I didn't have any idea what was going on.

"I did not know my little girl was dying. I did not turn away. I did not see anything to give me concern.

"Tracey was always giving a good reason, I did not doubt her for one minute. She was loving and caring about me and Lauren and the other two kids.

The court heard that Mr Wright did not become concerned after a visit by social workers in connection with a bruise on Lauren's face.

Lauren and his wife had said it was caused by her being hit by a door handle, he told the jury.

Tracey Wright: Lauren's stepmother

The week before Lauren's death, Mr Wright said his wife had told him a doctor had diagnosed Lauren as having gastroenteritis.

"I just thought she was weak because she hadn't had any food for two or three days," he said.

"I did not know that she had that injury to her stomach, if I had known it, it would have been totally different. Everything would be totally different, we would not been here now,"

Tracey Wright, 31, and Craig Wright, also of Welney, both deny wilful neglect and manslaughter.

The trial continues.