Messages, letters and diaries show turbulent relationship of Ellie Butler's parents

The turbulent relationship of tragic Ellie Butler's parents was revealed in a series of text messages, letters and diary entries uncovered after the six-year-old's death.

She was allegedly killed by her father Ben Butler, 36, on October 28 2013 when he was left alone with her and another child while his partner Jennie Gray, 36, was at work in the City of London.

The prosecution has told the Old Bailey that Ellie had been living in a "toxic" environment dominated by Butler and his volatile temper, while Gray would do anything to please him.

Jurors were also shown transcripts of Gray's diary and hundreds of texts between the couple in which Butler appeared to be abusive, while Gray remained submissive.

In one angry exchange, Butler called Gray a "snake" but she responds by saying "I love you and would die for you".

Gray chronicled the rows in her diary which was found ripped up in communal bins after Ellie's death, jurors were told.

She also allegedly made a series of internet searches such as "I wish I was dead because he hurts me so much and nobody really cares about me" and "urgent spell to stop his hate".

A "letter of prayer" found inside a make-up bag in the parents' bedroom wardrobe read: "Please let Ben become completely supportive. Do not let it be true about Lauren or anyone else.

"Make him stop being angry, hateful and violent. Make him sorry and willing to be nice."

Inside a suitcase in the bedroom was a letter "to Jennie", which stated: "I just wanted to tell you I'm proud of how you are doing.

"I know it's hard. Please try harder with your mouth as it's a trigger for me. I would be lost without you."

Another prayer from Gray recovered from a black leather bag in the hallway read: "Dear Jesus, dear beautiful goddess and most (illegible) God.

"Please make my home .. Ellie, Ben and I all happy together as a family.

"Please don't let Ben leave me but make him learn to like me. Stop violence and make him WANT ME and be there at the birth if I have a baby boy."

A note entitled "Ellie's behaviour" outlined 10 points including "lying, not doing as she's told, does not listen or pay attention, constantly answers back, argues, constantly manipulative, feel you can't trust her, acts like a child prior to her years, we feel she is aware she is doing this".

Butler denies murder and has pleaded not guilty to child cruelty with Gray over a shoulder injury Ellie suffered weeks before her death.

Gray has admitted perverting the course of justice over an alleged cover-up before the couple called 999.