A MUM did "nothing" to protect her toddler son from being attacked before he was killed by her boyfriend, a court heard today.

Tamika Beaton, 25, is accused of leaving 18-month-old Andrew Cawker in the care of partner Scott Coombe in the months leading to his death.

The youngster had suffered a number of bruises and injuries but Beaton put her "own interests" before those of her son, it was said.

The Old Bailey was told this led to "catastrophic" consequences as Coombe regularly battered the youngster.

On July 22, 2019, Andrew died in hospital 13 days after suffering a head injury at home.

He never regained consciousness after being shaken and thrown by "irritated" Coombe, it was said.

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Jurors were told the postman has admitted manslaughter, child cruelty and assaulting the toddler on three occasions.

Beaton denies wilfully ill-treating or neglecting Andrew in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or cause injury to his health.

The court heard how she embarked on affair behind Andrew's dad's back with Coombe after meeting him at a fitness class to lose her baby weight.

Beaton confirmed the relationship in December 2018, with the toddler beginning to show "regular bruising" three months later, jurors were told.

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Andrew's dad Ben Cawker took photos of the marks and even asked a doctor to check if the toddler was prone to bruising, which he was not.

Jurors heard how Beaton attempted to blame Mr Cawker for the injuries and suggested he was not "supervising" their son properly.

Prosecutor Sally O'Neill KC said: "His bruises were as a result of being assaulted by Scott Coombe and it must have been obvious to Tamika Beaton that it was Scott Coombe who was doing it.

"Not only did she do nothing to protect Andrew from being injured by Scott Coombe, she tried to cover up the injuries by blaming Ben Cawker, his father, for causing them."

"There are many texts in this case which the Crown say illustrate her knowledge of what was going on and her deliberate refusal to tell Social Services about it because she knew that if she did, the result would be that either Scott Coombe would have to leave the home or [Andrew] would be taken into care.

"She was putting her own interests before those of Andrew with the most catastrophic consequences for Andrew."

On July 9, 2019, Beaton had gone to a dance class knowing her partner had been at work all day.

Coombe called 999 claiming the youngster started "looking a bit stiff" then collapsed while he was playing, it was said.

The court was told he had become "irritated" with Andrew and picked him up by grabbing his upper arms.

In a "moment of anger and frustration", the Coombe "shook him vigorously backwards and forwards briefly and then threw him backwards", it was said.

Jurors heard Andrew's shoulder area then hit the floor and his head fell back and bounced.

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Beaton, from Peckham, South East London, denies child cruelty.

The trial continues.

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