A dad accused of killing his six-year-old daughter in a violent rage was "completely devoted" to his little girl, his partner has told a jury.

Graphic designer Jennie Gray, 36, was at work in the City of London when Ben Butler allegedly attacked Ellie, causing catastrophic head injuries.

House-husband Mr Butler, 36, urgently called her to their home to Westover Close, Belmont, on the afternoon of October 28, 2013 but waited two hours before ringing 999, the Old Bailey heard.

In that time, the couple allegedly destroyed evidence in an attempt to cover up the circumstances of Ellie's death, the court was told.

Giving evidence, Ms Gray told jurors that she met Butler at her brother's birthday party in March 2006.

The relationship was "casual" and they were both shocked when she became pregnant, she said.

But Ms Gray said he supported her decision to keep the baby and went to the hospital after a traumatic birth at St Helier Hospital - the "worst hospital you could ever imagine".

Afterwards, Ms Gray took Ellie back to her one-bedroom flat but Mr Butler would call in daily.

Ms Gray told jurors: "He was completely devoted, completely in love with the fact that he was a dad."

She said that, in February 2007, she dropped Ellie off with Mr Butler and he said: "Cor, she's pale, isn't she?"

Later, she received a call from Mr Butler's friend telling her to get to the hospital.

In the background she could hear Butler screaming "she's not breathing," Ms Gray told the court.

At the hospital, she said a member of staff told them "Ellie's been violently shaken".

The baby was taken to another hospital but not before "many mistakes" had been made by the hospital that "misdiagnosed" her, Ms Gray said.

She told jurors that Mr Butler was wrongly accused of shaking Ellie and she was also arrested over the incident.

Describing the day Ellie was taken into care, she said: "It was one of the worst days of my life.

"I went back and got all the toys she was used to. I wanted it to be as smooth as possible for her.

"I tried to do as best I could but I was heartbroken. I remember the foster carer was holding Ellie and her little head turned and watched me walk out that day."

Afterwards, Ms Gray said she "went to pieces" and turned to alcohol.

Mr Butler helped her survive and they both fought for access to their daughter, she told the court.

Jurors have been told that Mr Butler was convicted of shaking Ellie but cleared on appeal.

The couple won custody of their daughter in November 2012, 11 months before she died.

Gray has admitted perverting the course of justice in the wake of Ellie's death but denies child cruelty over an untreated broken shoulder.

Mr Butler denies murdering Ellie and child cruelty.