Force apologises for handling of Poppi Worthington investigation

Cumbria Constabulary has apologised for its investigation into the murder of 13-month-old Poppi Worthington after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that the prime suspect in the case will not face charges.

The CPS announced on Thursday (July 14) that there was “insufficient evidence” to charge Paul Worthington, 48, with any offence over the death of his daughter.

Mr Worthington has always denied any wrongdoing, including sexual abuse, even though High Court judge Mr Justice Peter Jackson ruled in January that he perpetrated a penetrative assault before his daughter’s death.

Mr Worthington was already known to police, having been informally interviewed following allegations of “an association with someone who may have committed offences against children”.

Poppi was pronounced dead on December 12, 2012, when she was rushed to hospital after being found with serious injuries at her home in Barrow-in-Furness.

No explanation has ever been offered for the cause of her death or the manner in which her injuries were sustained.

In 2014, Cumbria Constabulary applied for a secrecy order to be applied to the case, but this was rejected.

By the force’s own admission, the initial investigation into Poppi’s death contained “a number of faults”.

Lord Justice Jackson ruled that the force took nine months to conduct any “real” investigation, failed to secure and preserve evidence, and failed to keep accurate records describing why certain decisions were made.

Chief Constable Jerry Graham issued a full apology to Poppi’s family, and said: “I believe that the cumulative impact of these investigative findings has meant that the ability of legal proceedings charged with the responsibility of determining what happened to Poppi has been hindered.

“Crucially, evidence has not been able to be tested to the criminal law standard of beyond reasonable doubt”.

He added: “I am a parent of children myself, and I can only imagine the distress that the parents and family of Poppi Worthington must have felt at her death, but also four years after, they’re no clearer as to why she died and the circumstances of her death.

“It was our job to shed light on that and the deficiencies of our investigation have proved we haven’t been able to do that and we’ve let them down and I deeply regret that.”

Poppi’s mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has expressed anger over the CPS’s decision.

Solicitor Fiona McGhie said on her behalf: “This is obviously a very distressing time for Poppi’s mother and she is desperate to understand more about the police investigations and the events leading up to Poppi’s death.

“She is angry and disappointed with the CPS and wishes to be given time and space at this difficult time as we approach the inquest.”