The judge has started to sum up in the case of man accused of murdering a ten-month-old baby girl who allegedly died after a Christmas Day attack.

The jury at Exeter Crown Court will retire later this week to consider their verdict on James Hunt, who is accused of killing Kimberly Barrett more than two years ago.

Judge Mr Justice Lindblom is expected to take at least two days to sum up the three weeks of evidence which has included medical experts called by both the prosecution and defence.

Hunt, aged 30, of Pellinore Road, Exeter, denies murdering Kimberly at her mother’s flat in Spencer Court, Ottery St Mary, over Christmas 2011.

The child died at the Bristol Children’s Hospital on December 29 after collapsing unconscious on Boxing Day and being transferred from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

The prosecution case is that Kimberly died from head injuries caused either by being shaken, slammed against a wall or other hard surface, or thrown onto a cot or mattress so hard that her brain moved inside the skull.

They say the baby suffered two different attacks on December 12 and 25 when Hunt lost his temper with the girl while left in sole charge of her.

Pathologists and consultants called by the prosecution have identified a combination of three symptoms known as a ‘triad’ which they say is indicative of trauma.

Experts called by the defence have challenged the diagnosis and say the fatal swelling of the brain and bleeding found inside the skull and eyes could have been caused by blood clotting or an aneurism.

The trial continues.