Man and woman deny murder of eight-week-old baby

Officers were called to an address in Bourne on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, and an eight-week-old baby was subsequently taken to hospital and died, Lincolnshire Police said.

Liam Neve, 26, of Spinney Close, Grimoldby, Louth, and 26-year-old Lauren Murgatroyd, of Novak Place, Morecambe, Lancashire, were charged in June with the murder of a child aged under one years following an investigation by the Force.

Neve and Murgatroyd appeared before Judge Simon Hirst at Lincoln Crown Court on Wednesday (September 16).

Wearing a black t-shirt and dark trousers, Neve spoke to confirm his name and date of birth.

Murgatroyd, wearing a black hoodie and grey jogging bottoms, also spoke to confirm her name and date of birth.

Both defendants entered not guilty pleas to the charge of murdering the infant, who can not be named for legal reasons, on October 31, 2023.

They both denied a number of other charges relating to the investigation which are alleged to have occurred between late August 2023 and October 31, 2023.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to two charges of child cruelty, two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, two charges of causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical injury and one count of causing or allowing the death of a child.

No bail applications were made and Judge Hirst adjourned the case for a High Court trial beginning at Lincoln Crown Court on June 7 2027.

The trial is estimated to last eight weeks.

Both defendants were remanded into custody until their next court appearance.