Investigators were stumped for years after the discovery of ‘Baby Callum’ in a woodland close to Gulliver’s World theme park in Warrington before a chance DNA match finally solved the case
The husband of a mum, who suffocated their second-born baby and discarded the boy in plastic bags, has revealed the impact the truth had when it finally came to light.
Joanne Sharkey’s husband and their son said they will “always support her” after she was convicted of the horrific crime. The body of the baby was found in woodland close to Gulliver’s World theme park in Warrington on March 14 1998. Unable to track down the boy’s family, he became known simply as Baby Callum.
Investigators made little headway as they were unable to match DNA recovered at the scene with the national database. This changed in 2023 when officers conducting a periodical review found a match with Ms Sharkey’s first son who had been arrested for an unrelated offence.
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DNA samples were taken from Sharkey and her husband of over 30 years, Neil, who were identified as the biological parents. Sharkey, 55 and of Denham Close in Croxteth, said her husband had no knowledge of the birth or death and she was later charged in April 2024 with murdering the child, who was believed to be minutes’ old at the time of his death.
But Sharkey admitted manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility, as well as concealing the birth of a child, on the first day of her trial at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this month. The Crown Prosecution Service accepted the plea after it was found Sharkey had been suffering from a “moderate to severe depressive illness” which “substantially impaired her ability to form rational judgement and exercise self control”.
Sharkey appeared back before the same court today, Friday, March 21 to be sentenced. During the sentencing hearing, statements from both Neil and Matthew Sharkey were read to the court by defence counsel Nina Grahame KC and Rebecca Filletti.
In a statement read by Ms Filletti, Neil Sharkey said: “I have been married to Joanne for 31 years. We have spent the last 12 months apart since the arrests as I’ve been in the UAE working. I’ve recently returned to the UK as I have a new job but this is based in the south and I only come home at weekends.
“I was not the greatest husband and father. It was all left to Joanne. Joanne was an amazing mother to Matthew. She has single-handedly raised Matthew to be one of the nicest people I’ve known. I’m so proud of Matthew, what he’s achieved and the person he is. This is all down to Joanne.
“I taught him to be a boy, play sports and look after himself. Joanne did the rest. Since I found out what happened I’ve been broken. There’s a piece of me that has disappeared and will never come back. I blame myself for what happened. I was not the easiest person to live with. It was difficult.
“I’m supporting Joanne and always will. She has been my best friend for 31 years. I’ve loved her since the first time I saw her. I know she is remorseful and is accepting of any punishment the courts deem suitable. I hope Joanne can receive the help she requires to address her mental health and as a family we will be here to support her.”
In a separate statement, Sharkey’s son Matthew said: “Growing up I was lucky to have my mum. She always looked after and protected me. I always had everything I needed. I was always loved and had support. I never knew if my mum was having a tough time as she was always good at putting a brave face on.
“She brought me up to be a caring, loving person with manners and to treat others with respect. She does not like to burden me with any issues as she does not want to cause me any upset. My mum assisted me in progressing my career. She was always behind me and supporting me.
“When we moved into our home, my mum continued to support me and make sure I had everything I needed. She came to the home and decorated with Danni. My mum did everything she could. These proceedings have taken a toll on us as a family. We have all suffered a loss. This has all come as a shock to us.
“I never thought my mum would be the subject of any court proceedings. We are still all grieving over what has happened. We as a family are supporting my mum and standing by her. I will always support my mum. I know my mum and I know she has remorse for all that has happened and the heartbreak caused. She’s accepting of her guilt and ready to face any sentence seen fit.
“My mum always tried to protect us from heartbreak, upset and stress and knows how these proceedings have had an impact on us all. I know my mum is still suffering with her mental health now. I can see the difference in her. The brave face she used to put on has faded.
“You can see the effect all this has had on her. She has lived with this for so many years. Now it is all out and she’s facing her punishment. I hope she can receive the help she needs. I will be there every step of the way to support her in whatever she needs.”
During the statements, a man wearing a hoodie, believed to be Matthew Sharkey, could be seen crying and hugging a man sitting to his right in the public gallery. Sharkey, who wore a white cardigan and had her brown hair clipped back, clutched a tissue and dabbed at her eyes throughout much of the hearing.
The court heard when Sharkey killed her baby she was suffering from post-natal depression after the birth of Matthew. Jonas Hankin KC, prosecuting, said psychiatrists agreed Sharkey was “fearful of becoming a mother to another child” and developed a depressive illness which “substantially impaired (her) ability to form rational judgment and exercise self-control”.