Mother of toddler denies causing any injury

The man accused of murdering Christchurch toddler Ihaka Stokes has claimed his innocence for the fatal injuries causing his death.

Ihaka's mother Mikala Stokes, 21, was in the High Court at Christchurch on Tuesday giving evidence against Taylor. She said they were in an "amazing" relationship at the time.

On Monday, the defence argued that Troy Taylor, the accused, did not assault, harm or murder Ihaka.

And that on the night that Ihaka died, there was two people in the house, however Ms Stokes was alone with the toddler for more than three hours.

Ms Stokes told the jury on the night of Ihaka's death, Taylor wasn't too sure what happened but just heard a little bang and then a big bang before rushing in to check on him.

On the Friday morning before his death Ms Stokes noticed a bruise on Ihaka's right jaw and blood on the sleeping sack where Ihaka slept the night before, she said she tried to give Ihaka a bottle but he didn't drink much and vomited some back up.

Ms Stokes say that day was like normal, they played with Ihaka's favourite toys and he slept for an hour during the day.

The Crown alleges 23-year-old Troy Taylor assaulted Ihaka ultimately leading to the toddler's death in July 2015.

A time when Ms Stokes says at the time, things were going "really, really good and were amazing" between her and Taylor.

The defence argue that there was no intruders that night so must have been one of the two people at home at the time and that a concussion injury caused to Taylor in 2014 which he was still suffering does not make him a murderer.

Newshub.