Parents accused of murdering three-month-old baby

Parents of a three-month-old boy who suffered "unsurvivable" head injuries, have appeared in court charged with his murder.

Adam Essid died in hospital days after he allegedly suffered severe trauma at his home in Finchley, north London.

His mother, Dounia Chetaouat, 32, of Kingsway, North Finchley, and father Abdelkader Essid, 44, have also been charged with causing or allowing the death of a child.

On Wednesday, Chetaouat appeared at the Old Bailey by video-link from Bronzefield prison for a preliminary hearing. Essid, of Clandon Gardens, Finchley, did not appear before the judge.

The court heard paramedics and police attended the defendants' home on Kingsway at 11:34 GMT on 30 January.

Paramedics performed emergency first aid at the scene and then rushed Adam to hospital.

Prosecutor Joel Smith KC said Adam suffered bleeding on the brain and fractures to both sides and top of the skull.

Adam died at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London on 17 February.

Chetaouat and Essid were subsequently charged over his death.

Judge Sarah Munro KC set a plea hearing for 13 May and a provisional Old Bailey trial from 15 February next year.

Chetaouat and Essid were remanded into custody.

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