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A Midland mum is accused of murdering her two daughters three weeks apart because they “got in the way” of her X-rated lifestyle.

A jury was told Louise Porton, 22, allegedly suffocated Lexi Draper, three, and then killed 17-month-old Scarlett Vaughan some 18 days later.

One friend allegedly said the part-time model, from Rugby, Warwickshire, “would do whatever she could” to not have her daughters with her.

She met a string of men on dating sites and sent them “explicit” photos of herself in the lead-up to their deaths, jurors were told.

In text messages she also offered to meet for sex if they put money into her bank account to fund her “shopping”, it is claimed.

Porton denies murder.

Birmingham crown court heard claims she sent a topless snap of herself from the hospital toilets while Lexi was being treated by medics.

She also swapped more than 80 messages with a hospital guard after meeting him in the A&E department, prosecutors said.

Jurors were told Porton made a series of internet searches relating to children’s deaths the day before the first alleged murder.

It is claimed they included “how long does it take a body to go cold?” and “five weird things that happen when you die”.

Oliver Saxby QC, prosecuting, told the court doctors could find “no natural reason” why both girls died.

He said: “The overwhelming inference is Lexi and Scarlett died because someone deliberately interfered with their breathing.

“At times, her two children got in the way of her doing what she wanted, when she wanted and with whom she wanted.”

Jurors were told she was “unemotional and detached” immediately following Lexi’s death on January 15 last year.

She also went through a “charade” of trying to wake Scarlett on February 1 even though she was dead, it is claimed.

The court heard Porton, who was separated from the girls’ father, first took Lexi to hospital on January 2, claiming she had suffered a seizure.

She was examined by doctors but no cause could be found for the fit and she was allowed home the next day.

But less than 24 hours later Porton rang 999 saying her eldest daughter had stopped breathing, jurors were told.

Mr Saxby said she was rushed to hospital and later diagnosed with a chest infection before being discharged four days later.

He added: “Finally, a week later, in the early hours of January 15, the defendant made another 999 call.

“Again, Lexi had stopped breathing. This time when the emergency services attended they found Lexi dead.

“Indeed, it was clear that she had been dead for some time.”

Mr Saxby said paramedics who went to her home in Rugby, Warks, noted she was “unnaturally detached”.

He said Porton’s reaction “was not as one would expect of an innocent mother coming to terms with so shocking a bereavement.”

Jurors were told she rang 111 on February 1, 18 days later, from a retail park saying she could not wake her other daughter Scarlett.

(Image: Facebook)

Mr Saxby said: “The defendant was in her car. Scarlett was with her. They were alone.

“She told the operators she was en route to the hospital to have her checked out. She said Scarlett was asleep and she was concerned.

“The operator asked the defendant to see if she could wake her.

“She went through the process – you may well conclude this was something of a charade – of seeing if she could wake Scarlett.

“But she could not. Because Scarlett was dead.

“It was clear to the emergency services when they attended shortly afterwards that Scarlett had been dead for some time.”

Jurors were told a social worker saw Scarlett looking “chatty, alert and happy” hours before she died.

Porton broke down in tears in the dock as recordings of her 111 and 999 calls were played in court.

The trial continues.