Daniel Gunter, 27, and Sophie Staddon, 23, are accused of killing Brendon Staddon at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on March 5 last year
The parents of a two-week-old baby have gone on trial charged with murdering him in hospital.
Daniel Gunter, 27, and Sophie Staddon, 23, are accused of killing Brendon Staddon at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on March 5 last year. Both defendants, of no fixed address, have been charged with murder and causing or allowing Brendon’s death.
A jury of eight men and four women were sworn in the case, which is due to take four weeks, at Bristol Crown Court on Monday. Mr Justice Swift told them: “This case is about the death of a very young child called Brendon Staddon who was two weeks old when he died on March 5 2024.
“When he died, he was in the special care baby unit at Yeovil District Hospital which is he where he had been since he was born. His death was as a result of very serious injuries.”
Charles Row KC is prosecuting the case, while Andrew Langdon KC represents Gunter and Adam Vaitilingam KC represents Staddon. On Monday, jurors were read a list comprising of 91 names of people that will feature in the trial.
Mr Row is due to open the case for the prosecution on Tuesday morning. The defendants deny both charges against them and the trial continues.