Telford baby murder case starts
A jury has been sworn in for the trial of a Telford couple accused of murdering their 11-month old baby boy.
Ashlea Leanne Thomas, formerly Sargent, 20, and Paul James Thomas, 29, both formerly of St Georges, and now of Dalford Court, Hollinswood, deny the charge and two other allegations relating to their son Oliver's death in July 2012.
The couple appeared at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday for the start of a lengthy trial expected to last about a month-and-a-half.
The couple both entered not guilty pleas at an earlier hearing to the murder of Oliver Tyler Sargent, who died from head injuries on July 31 2012 at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
They also pleaded not guilty to causing a child's death by not recognising there was a risk of significant harm by a member of the household between July 27 and 31, 2012.
Both deny a charge of abusing, ill-treating, abandoning or neglecting Oliver in a manner likely to cause harm between March 12 and July 26, 2012.
The Honourable Mr Justice Nicholas Green adjourned the proceedings after a jury was sworn in and prosecutors were expected to open the case against the couple today.
