A Penrith woman accused of child cruelty crimes allegedly committed against two youngsters is to stand trial next year.
The woman appeared at Carlisle Crown Court this morning.
During a short hearing in front of Judge Nicholas Barker, she faced two charges.
Both allege cruelty to a person under 16 years.
Two children are named in the court papers and both, it is alleged, were wilfully assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned, or exposed in a manner “likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health”.
In the dock, the woman pleaded not guilty to both charges when they were read to her by the court clerk.
A timetable for the progression of the case was outlined and she is now due to stand trial in front of a jury. This is set to start on May 3 next year and, it is estimated, will last five to seven days.
In the meantime, the woman, who is aged in her forties, was granted conditional bail by Judge Barker.
