Yeovil baby death: Couple appear in court to face charges

A couple will face trial later this year accused of the murder of a two-week-old baby.

Daniel Gunter, 25, and Sophie Staddon, 20, are accused of killing baby Brendon Staddon at Yeovil District Hospital on 5 March this year.

They are also been charged with causing or allowing Brendon's death.

Mr Gunter pleaded not guilty to both charges in a hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, while Ms Staddon did not enter a plea to either charge.

Brendon was born prematurely on 20 February, and died while in hospital.

The second 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".

Judge William Hart fixed a two-week trial before a High Court judge to begin on 18 November, with an earlier hearing scheduled for July.

The defendants, of no fixed address, were remanded into custody.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and, X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.