Murder-case mum poisoned her baby with pills, court told
A MOTHER accused of poisoning and murdering her baby son allegedly gave him anti-depressants, a court heard.
Hannah Turtle, 22, is due to stand trial next year accused of murdering seven-week-old son James Hughes.
Turtle, from Shotton in Flintshire, appeared for a preliminary hearing at Mold Crown Court yesterday.
She is charged with murder, three counts of ill-treatment, and two of administering poison.
Judge Eleri Rees, who appeared via a live television link from Cardiff Crown Court, fixed a plea hearing on October 4.
A provisional trial date was listed for January 29 next year. It is expected to last three weeks.
Turtle, who had been living at Llanarth Hospital in Abergavenny but is now of no fixed abode, was further remanded in custody.
Defending barrister Dafydd Roberts said there were many issues to be explored.
The judge said investigations had been carried out for some time and the prosecution case was now ready.
One of the poison charges relates to allegedly administering an anti-depressant drug to James between May 31 and June 5 last year.
He was taken to hospital from the family home in Ryeland Street, Shotton, on June 9 and died four days later on June 13.
He was initially treated at the Countess of Chester Hospital and was then transferred to Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital where he died.