A little boy who died after an incident at his County Durham home had suffered extensive burning to the legs, ‘tramline’ bruising and bleeding on the brain, an inquest hearing was told.

Three-year-old Dwelaniyah Robinson was rushed to hospital after what was described as a ‘choking episode’ at Bracken Court in Ushaw Moor, near Durham, earlier this month.

His mother, Christina Robinson, has been charged with his murder and remanded in custody pending a further court hearing later this year.

Read more: Neighbours in shock after death of boy, 3, in County Durham village

On Friday, Senior Coroner for County Durham and Darlington Jeremy Chipperfield opened the official inquest into Dwelaniyah’s death on November 5.

Coroner's officer Tim Gilks, who is employed by Durham County Council, submitted a statement which said: “I understand the circumstances to be that an ambulance was called after a choking episode.

“CPR was unsuccessful. Further treatment given in hospital which was unsuccessful. At this point further injuries were found.”

A post-mortem examination carried out at Sheffield Children's Hospital Mortuary on November 10 gave the cause of death as subdural haemorrhage, multiple tramline bruises and extensive burning of the legs and perineal area covering 20 per cent of the surface.

The hearing was told Dwelaniyah was born in August 2019 in Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, and died at University Hospital of North Durham.

His body was identified by his father Gabriel Adu-Appau.

Ms Robinson, 28, who appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday, November 17, by video link from HMP Low Newton in Durham, also faces a charge of child neglect.

She will remain in custody until her plea and trial preparation hearing on December 13.

A provisional trial date is fixed for April 19 next year.

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