THE parents accused of covering up the injuries of their baby, which later died, are not 'clever and conniving', a court has heard.

In a closing speech to the jury, defence counsel Suzanne Goddard QC, said the actions of Nafisa and Mohammed Karolia in the run up to the death of 'Twin M' were not those of a couple engaged in a concealment.

She said the couple, of Meadow Close, Audley, Blackburn, were described as 'loving and caring parents who treated all their children equally'.

Ms Goddard said: “That's not the sort of thing you expect to see when dealing with parents accused of abusing their child and deliberately ignoring injuries.”

Nafisa, 22, and taxi driver Mohammed, 29, are on trial for child cruelty and the wilful neglect of seven-month-old 'Twin M'. They are alleged to have swapped the identity of the baby with 'Twin A' to cover up abuse from the authorities.

The baby died of pneumonia in June 2009.

Evidence later showed that 'Twin M' had a number of fractures, brain bleeds and facial bruising.

Prosecutors said the parents have offered no explanation for the injuries.

Ms Goddard said during police interviews, Nafisa Karolia had not attempted to shift the blame and told detectives: “I wouldn't harm my baby, any of them. I don’t know how it happened, I looked after my baby so well.”

She also refuted the crown's evidence that the twins were never seen out together, pointing to a doctor's appointment where she said both babies were present.

Ms Goddard said: “Are these parents really clever and conniving? That suggestion holds no water at all.”

Ms Goddard added that health visitor Emma Parkinson reported no concerns over the family and found Nafisa 'open and co-operative'.

She said: “This was not a mother who was cracking under the strain. There's no evidence Nafisa was lying. It is plain wrong to say she was covering it up to throw Emma Parkinson off the scent.”

The jury is due to be begin considering its verdict tomorrow((proceeding)).