Middlesbrough Police: How did Kyle die?

Kyle Fisher left.

(Cleveland Police need investigating urgently)

Published Date:

19 December 2008

By Marissa Carruthers

The devoted dad of tragic tot Kyle Fisher is demanding the police investigation into his death is re-opened.

A jury yesterday cleared babysitter Suzanne Holdsworth of killing two-year-old Kyle, from Houghton, after she was accused of flying into a fit of rage and repeatedly banging his head against a wooden banister with as much force as a 60mph crash.

Ms Holdsworth, 38, of Boggart Hill Drive, Leeds, appeared at Teesside Crown Court, accused of murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter after a retrial.

But after almost three weeks in court, a jury yesterday acquitted Ms Holdsworth of the charges, and Cleveland Police say they have no plans to reopen the case.

John Sweeney call with Suzanne Holdsworth in

prison, a very sad call.

Today Kyle's distraught dad, Jon Taylor, of Houghton, demanded answers and a further probe into the death of his son, who he knows as Kyle Jon David Taylor.

He said: "I was never 100 per cent certain Suzanne did it. It's taken four years to get to this."

"It's been hard for the last four years and all I want now is to find out how he died.

"I want to know the truth, I'm sick of it all.

"There's no resolution for me as to what happened, and that's what I want."

Ms Holdsworth was accused of killing Kyle, of Houghton, at her home, then in Millpool Close, Hartlepool, as she looked after him while his mum, Clare Fisher, went to a karaoke night on July 21, 2004.

It was also claimed Ms Holdsworth assaulted Kyle the previous night when she looked after him while his mum went to the cinema.

But Ms Holdsworth, a former supermarket worker, argued Kyle suddenly "went floppy", started hitting himself and was drifting in and out of consciousness while they were watching TV on the sofa.

He was taken to Hartlepool's University Hospital and was later transferred to Newcastle General Hospital where he was put on a ventilator, but was later taken off after it became clear he was brain dead.

During the retrial, the jury heard from two medical experts who said an epileptic fit was most likely to have been the cause of death.

But the court also heard baby Kyle had bruising and marks to his head.

Ms Holdsworth's defence blamed Kyle's mum, claiming they were inflicted the previous day and, coupled with his brain abnormalities, led to the deadly fit.

The court heard Miss Fisher was suffering from depression at the time and was unable to cope with the demands of bringing up a toddler.

Her house was untidy, neighbours complained of loud music at night, and days before Kyle died, she "mistreated" him by leaving him home alone while out with friends.

Andrew Thomas QC, defending, said: "It is Clare Fisher who is the credible candidate for attacking Kyle in this case."