Grandparent Trial: Girl’s Mother Gives Evidence
The mother of a severely disabled girl has been giving evidence in the trial of the child’s grandparents who are accused of her manslaughter.
Rebecca McKeown, 14, died in hospital in March 2001.
David Johnston, 88, and his wife Sarah, 86, from Carwood Drive in Glengormley, deny manslaughter and child cruelty.
Cheryl McKeown said her daughter was bleeding from an intimate area after returning from her grandparents’ home.
Close relationship
Rebecca died in hospital five days after she had been looked after by her grandparents, and Mrs McKeown has been giving evidence about the day when she left her daughter in her grandparents’ care.
She told Belfast Crown Court that Rebecca had multiple disabilities, but because of their close relationship she was able to tell if she was in pain by looking in her eyes.
The teenager used a specially designed wheelchair and could neither walk, talk nor eat for herself. She died after developing pneumonia.
The prosecution alleges this came as a direct result of a sexual assault she suffered at the hands of one or other grandparent.
Mrs McKeown testified that when she informed her parents that Rebecca had been sexually assaulted there was “no reaction, no shock”.
The trial is expected to last until mid-June.
Same Difference 