playtime tragedy: Nursery death trial opens

“FUNDAMENTAL flaws” in a Yorkshire nursery’s safety procedures led to a three year-old girl being strangled by a rope in a playground on her first day, a court heard.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Jan 2014, 07:51 BST

Lydia Bishop. Pictures: Ross Parry Agency

Lydia Bishop was allegedly “left to her own devices” for over 20 minutes in the playground at the nursery at York College.

She was found after a “prolonged period of time” with the rope looped round her neck and was pronounced dead at York Hospital a short time later.

Robert Smith QC, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court that despite a risk assessment identifying the ropes as a potential danger staff persistently left ropes attached to the slide.

Nursery worker Sophee Redhead, 25, has denied manslaughter by gross negligence and the college denies failing to ensure safety.

Horror on first day: Page 5.

Yorkshire