Alfie Steele trial: Carla Scott tells jury co-accused told her to lie

Carla Scott also told the court her co-accused, fiance Dirk 'Dean' Howell, told her to lie before he left and paramedics arrived at Vashon Drive, Droitwich, on the day of her son's death. 

Scott gave evidence from the witness box at the Coventry Crown Court trial on Tuesday (May 23). 

Scott, wearing a grey suit and white shirt, stumbled over the affirmation before choosing to stand when given the option by the Honourable Justice Mark Wall KC.

TRIAL: Carla Scott has given evidence at her trial

The 35-year-old said she ran a bath after Alfie asked for one. 

Rachel Brand KC, for Scott, asked her: "What was the temperature?"

"Not too warm not too cold," Scott replied. 

"After you ran the bath did you see Alfie get into it?" Ms Brand asked. 

"No I was downstairs - I was down there for a while because I was cleaning."

Scott broke down as she explained she returned to the bathroom and saw Alfie under the water. 

The defendant said she took Alfie out of the bath and put him on a towel on the floor of her bedroom. 

Howell started CPR while she was speaking to the 999 operator, Scott said.

TRIAL: Dirk 'Dean' Howell

Asked if Howell said anything before he left, Scott replied: "He told me to say he wasn't there."

Asked why she lied to police that Howell had been at the house she replied: "I didn't want to get into trouble. 

"I didn't want him to get into trouble. I didn't want them to jump to conclusions."

Howell broke into tears when she said she returned to the home "distraught" and slept in the living room as she couldn't face going upstairs. 

Scott said disciplining Alfie included him not being allowed to watch television or go outside. 

But she said, after meeting Howell, rules changed to Alfie not being able to move and having to sit in one spot. 

BOY: Alfie Steele

Asked if she had ever used physical discipline, including striking him with belts, she replied no.

She described accusations she sent Alfie to school hungry as "horrible" adding: "It got to the point I was taking pictures of cupboards and meals."

Ms Brand asked about the morning of Alfie's death. 

Scott firmly replied "no" when she asked if she had hit or smothered the nine-year-old. 

Asked if she had participated with Howell in the murder of the boy she replied "no".

At one point Scott's evidence had to be halted when Howell got up in the dock and went to the toilet.

On returning the judge explained to Howell he couldn't do that, telling him to sit down. 

Howell, of Princip Street, Birmingham, has previously admitted child cruelty against other children but denies murder, manslaughter, cruelty or causing or allowing the death of Alfie.

Carla Scott denies murder, manslaughter, causing or allowing the death of Alfie and child cruelty offences against Alfie and other children.

The trial continues.