Two appear in court charged with murder of eight-week-old baby

Lincolnshire Police said 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.

Liam Neve, 26, of Spinney Close, Grimoldby, Louth, and 26-year-old Lauren Murgatroyd, of Novak Place, Morecambe, Lancashire, were charged with murder yesterday (Tues) and several other offences following the incident.

Neve and Murgatroyd this afternoon appeared before Judge Catarina Sjolin-Knight after appearing at Lincoln Magistrates Court earlier in the day.

Wearing a purple sweatshirt and black jogging bottoms, Neve spoke only to confirm his name.

Murgatroyd, wearing a grey sweat shirt and grey shorts, also only spoke to confirm her name.

Both defendants are charged with the murder of a child aged under one year on October 31, 2023.

They both face a number of other charges relating to the investigation.

Liam Neve has been charged with:

• Murder • Making a false statement concerning birth • Causing or allowing the death of a child • Two counts of Actual Bodily Harm • Two counts of Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm • Two counts of causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm

Lauren Murgatroyd has been charged with: • Murder • Making a false statement concerning birth • Causing or allowing the death of a child • Two counts of Section 18 GBH • Two counts of causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm

No bail applications were made and Judge Sjolin-Knight adjourned the case for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on September 16.

The case was also listed for a provisional trial date of June 7, 2027 at Lincoln Crown Court.

The trial is estimated to last six weeks.

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