Ben Butler trial: DVD of Peppa Pig played to jury after father's claims girl died watching TV show

Ben Butler is accused of killing his daughter Ellie
David Crump/Daily Mail
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A DVD of children’s cartoon Peppa Pig has been played to an Old Bailey jury in the last part of the evidence in a child murder trial.

The panel of eight women and four men sat for four minutes watching snippets of the popular TV show, featuring a visit of the fire brigade, a family dinner party, and a game of leap frog.

Some of the jurors broke into smiles as the film, edited from a 63-minute DVD, was played in court eight.

The cartoon has been played as evidence in the murder trial of Ben Butler, a father accused of murdering his six-year-old daughter Ellie by beating her around the head.

Butler, 36, allegedly killed Ellie at his home in Sutton before concocting a plan with partner Jennie Gray, also 36, to cover up the murder.

However, he claims the young girl may have suffered fatal injuries in a fall, having been jumping up and down on her bed to Peppa Pig.

Butler’s barrister, Icah Peart QC, outlined the theory while cross-examining pathologist Professor Anthony Risdon last month, asking him: “Have you heard of Peppa Pig?”

Prof Risdon said he knew the character but had not seen any of the cartoons: “I am a little old for that... my children are in their middle ages now.'

Mr Peart continued: “In particular I am interested in a nursery rhyme that goes as follows: Five little Peppa Pigs jumping on the bed. One jumped off and bumped her head. Mummy called the doctor and the doctor said 'Don't let Peppa Pig jump on the bed'.”

He said Ellie “was a Peppa Pig fan”, her bedroom was adorned with images of the character, and she had the Peppa Pig DVD that was played today in her room.

“What I am talking about is someone jumping up and down on the bed and, as Peppa Pig does, jumps over backwards, falls down and hits her head on the concrete floor”, he said.

“That's the kind of momentum I am talking about.”

Butler is accused of murdering his daughter on October 28 2013, less than a year after she had been returned to his custody.

Ellie was taken into care after Butler was convicted of attacking her when she was just six-months-old. However, his conviction was subsequently quashed and after a lengthy court battle the young girl was returned to him.

It is alleged Gray rushed back from work after Butler had attacked Ellie, and they disposed of potential evidence before calling 999.

It was around two hours after Ellie had been injured that emergency services were first summoned, the court has heard.

Butler denies murder and child cruelty. Gray admits perverting the course of justice but denies child cruelty.

The trial continues.

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