A TODDLER suffered brain injuries more often seen in victims of high-speed car crashes, a murder trial was told yesterday.

Babysitter Suzanne Holdsworth denies hurting twoyear- old Kyle Fisher and maintains he suffered an unexpected fit at her home in Hartlepool, in July 2004.

The jury in the retrial of the 38-year-old has heard of the fatal head injuries Kyle suffered before his late-night collapse.

He was initially taken unconscious to his local hospital, and transferred to a specialist unit in Newcastle, where he died two days later.

Paediatric neurosurgeon Nicholas Todd was asked yesterday by Andrew Robertson QC, prosecuting, what had happened to Kyle.

Mr Todd said the “severe”

injuries were like those found in victims of high-speed crashes, roll-over traffic accidents and falls from height.

A paediatrician at Newcastle General Hospital, who specialises in child abuse, also gave evidence.

Dr Tony Waterston told the jury, at Teesside Crown Court, that he believed the injuries were “trauma from a heavy object”.

Ms Holdsworth was looking after Kyle at her home in Millpool Close while the boy’s mother, Clare, then 19, went out drinking.

It is alleged Ms Holdsworth, who now lives in Seacroft, Leeds, repeatedly banged Kyle’s head against a banister after she lost her temper on July 21.

She denies murder and insists he suffered an unexpected fit at her home.

The case continues.