Parents of two-week-old charged with his murder

THE parents of a two-weekold baby have appeared in court charged with murdering him in hospital.

Daniel Gunter, 25, and Sophie Staddon, 20, are accused of killing baby Brendon Staddon at Yeovil District Hospital.

They are charged with murdering the baby boy on March 5 this year.

Gunter appeared before Taunton Magistrates’ Court yesterday afternoon, where he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

Staddon appeared before the same court yesterday morning.

Both defendants, of no fixed address, have also been charged with causing or allowing Brendon’s death.

That charge alleges that “being a member of the same household as and having had frequent contact” with Brendon, they either caused his death or did not protect him from a foreseeable “significant risk of serious physical harm”.

Brendon was two weeks old when he died at the hospital, where he was an inpatient, at about 5am on March 5.

Neither defendant was asked to enter pleas in relation to the two charges. Presiding Justice Victoria McNiven told Gunter: “This matter is to go to the crown court.”

Avon and Somerset Police previously said officers were called to Yeovil District Hospital by staff.

An investigation was launched by the force’s major crime investigation team a short time later.

Detective Inspector Mark Newbury, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: “This is a particularly tragic case in which a very young baby has died, and our thoughts are with Bren

This is a particularly tragic case in which a very young baby has died DI MARK NEWBURY

don’s loved ones during this time.

“We have been carrying out inquiries at the hospital this week, and we’re grateful to the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and their staff for their assistance in enabling us to do this.”

Gunter and Staddon will next appear before Bristol Crown Court on Monday.

> Yeovil District Hospital