Laptop seized in Poppi Worthington investigation

A laptop has been seized in the investigation into the death of Poppi Worthington, Cumbria Police have said.
Poppi was taken to Furness General Hospital where she was pronounced deadPoppi was taken to Furness General Hospital where she was pronounced dead
Poppi was taken to Furness General Hospital where she was pronounced dead

Officers said they recovered a number of items and are examining the computer to determine if it is relevant to the case.

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A Cumbria Constabulary spokesman said: "The Constabulary can confirm that during the course of their inquiries officers have recovered a number of items, including a laptop.

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"The laptop is subject to meticulous forensic examination, by specialist officers, to determine whether it is relevant to potential inquiries concerning Poppi Worthington."

Mr Worthington, 50, told police he viewed "adult X-rated" porn on his laptop but officers did not seize the computer at the time.

It was one of a series of failures by Cumbria Police, who lost vital evidence during their botched investigation which meant no-one has been prosecuted over Poppi's sexual abuse and death.

The force made an arrest in March, more than five years later, after criticism of their investigation.

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A 39-year-old man, from Barrow-in-Furness, was held on suspicion of assisting an offender and a drugs offence.

He was later released under investigation.

Paramedics were called to the Worthington family home in Barrow-in-Furness early on the morning of December 12 2012.

Poppi was taken to Furness General Hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly after 7am.

An inquest in January 2018 found that she was anally penetrated in her father's double bed, although her death did not result from the abuse.

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The ruling came after judgments by a High Court family judge in 2014 and 2016 that Poppi was abused by her father shortly before her death.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) previously ruled that Mr Worthington will not face any legal action and there would be no fourth review of the case.

He denies any wrongdoing and is now living in hiding with the help of police protection.