A Barrow woman who murdered a baby boy she wanted to adopt has been jailed for at least 18 years.
Laura Castle shook 13-month-old Leiland-James Corkill at their home in January 2021.
She had admitted manslaughter but was found guilty of murder and child cruelty when she appeared at Preston Crown Court.
Her husband Scott Castle was cleared of causing or allowing Leiland-James’ death.
Castle, 38, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 18 years.
Castle, dressed all in black, cried throughout the hearing.
Statements were read from Leiland-James’ birth mother Laura Corkill, who called her son’s killer a monster.
Leiland-James Corkill was placed with Laura Castle, 38, and her husband in August 2020 as they had applied to adopt him.
Five months later, Leiland-James died aged 13 months. An ambulance was called by Laura Castle at 8.15am on January 6 2021.
Paramedics attended the Castles’ home in Barrow within minutes to find Leiland-James in respiratory arrest, floppy and unresponsive. Laura Castle told paramedics that he had fallen from the sofa.
Leiland-James was taken to Furness General Hospital where he was found to be in cardiorespiratory arrest with a head injury.
He was then transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool where he was treated for his injuries. Despite their best efforts, Leiland-James died the following day.
Concerns were raised immediately by medical staff as Leiland-James’s injuries were inconsistent with Laura Castle’s account that he had fallen from the sofa. The post-mortem findings confirmed that he had suffered a traumatic head injury with a non-accidental cause.
Laura Castle and her husband, Scott Castle were arrested, and the police began an extensive investigation into the death of Leiland-James.
Rigorous process for Leiland’s placement with the Castles
He had been a cared for child since his birth in December of 2019. Laura and Scott Castle had been through a rigorous process to have Leiland-James placed with them on August 22 2020 when he was eight months old.
There were issues from an early stage, with Laura Castle admitting she didn’t love him and hadn’t bonded with him.
By December 2020, Cumbria County Council were arranging for the family to complete therapeutic work, and provided support to try to improve the situation. Due to the attachment issues, the Castles were told that permanent adoption wouldn’t be supported at that time. Before that work could be completed, Laura Castle killed Leiland-James.
Laura Castle was charged with murdering Leiland-James and Scott Castle was charged with causing or allowing the death of a child.
When the case came before Preston Crown Court Laura Castle pleaded not guilty to murder and child cruelty. Scott Castle pleaded not guilty to causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty.
Abusive text messages
At trial, the Crown Prosecution Service produced testimony regarding the treatment of Leiland-James from neighbours and family members, extensive evidence from the foremost pathologists in the country, along with mobile phone evidence of the texts between Laura and Scott Castle.
Laura used abusive, derogatory language about Leiland-James, and she admitted she had leathered him in a text to Scott. Leiland-James was blamed for her frustration.
When it became clear that her first story did not account for Leiland-James’ injuries, Laura Castle Googled what might cause a bleed on the brain while Leiland-James was in hospital, and then gave a different account to police in interview.
She said that Leiland-James had been on her knee but had fallen onto a rug when she stood up.
When faced with the overwhelming evidence, she pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the morning of the trial, accepting causing his death by shaking him, but maintained she had no intention to seriously harm or kill him.
Laura Castle told the jury that she had shaken Leiland-James because he was crying, and she had lost control.
The CPS contended that the injuries to Leiland-James were caused by the application of considerable force, indicative of an intention to cause really serious harm at the very least.
Cumbria County Council said an independent review into the case was expected to end in July.
Horrific abuse
Detective Superintendent Dave Pattinson, the senior investigating officer in this case, said: “Leiland-James Corkill died because of continuous, horrific abuse committed by the very person who should have cared for him.
“From the very start of this, Laura Castle has lied about her actions – she denied shaking Leiland-James to both police and medical professionals who were attempting to save his life. It is clear that even now, Laura Castle has never been truthful about her actions that morning of the 6 January – the actions which ultimately led to Leiland-James’ death.
“The horrific text messages she sent show her true nature. She spoke of a little boy in the most despicable of terms, the same child she hoped to adopt on a permanent basis.
“I would like to thank the jury for their role in engaging and listening to all the evidence put before them. This has been a highly emotive trial, the evidence which the jury heard was often very upsetting and I have no doubt this would have been a difficult period for all members of the jury.
“Furthermore, I would like to thank our colleagues within the CPS and our prosecuting counsel Mr Brady QC and Mrs Faux, for the way the case has been prepared and delivered at trial.
“Lastly, I must thank the superb team of officers and staff from Cumbria Constabulary who have shown great dedication and professionalism in investigating such a horrific and emotive case of abuse.
“No child should ever have to experience the sustained abuse Leiland-James suffered. He was only 13 months old, and he was completely defenceless.
“I hope the manner in which it this has been dealt with and the outcome, will reassure the public that the Constabulary will act robustly and bring those responsible for such abuse to justice.”
