Two people charged by police following the alleged murder and neglect of a baby in Workington last year have appeared in front of a crown court judge.
Reece Martin Kelly, 30, stands accusing of murdering his four-month-old son Dallas Kelly in Workington on October 19 2021.
Georgia Wright, 22, has been charged with causing or allowing the death of Dallas. It alleged she did so at a time when she was both a member of the same household as Kelly and had frequent contact with Dallas.
This charge further alleges that Wright was — or ought to have been — aware of an alleged significant risk of serious physical harm being caused to the baby; and that she allegedly “failed to take such steps as she could reasonably have been expected to take to protect Dallas Kelly from the risk”.
Kelly and Wright also jointly face two charges which allege cruelty to a person aged under 16.
One charge alleges that they they exposed Dallas in a manner likely to cause the baby unnecessary suffering or injury to health between May 23 and October 15, 2021. Court papers show they are alleged to have done so by failing to take him to important medical appointments.
A second charge alleges cruelty to a second child — a boy aged under two years — between the same dates. It is alleged they did so in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to health by failing to provide him with any proper food.
Both defendants appeared at Carlisle Crown Court this afternoon for a premininary hearing lasting 20 minutes. Kelly wore a grey prison jumper as he appeared remotely over a video link from custody; while Wright was wearing a black long-sleeved top and blue jeans in the court dock, accompanied by two female security officers.
Wright spoke to confirm her name and date of birth while Kelly acknowledged his details by nodding due to the video link audio being muted.
No pleas were entered by either Kelly or Wright, whose barristers Richard English and Sharon Bahia attended the hearing remotely over video links.
Instead, Tim Evans for the prosecution outlined a series of forthcoming dates for the progression of the case. One was a hearing on April 17 at which the two defendants are set to enter pleas to the charges they face.
A provisional start date for a trial in front of a jury was given as May 30, 2023. Judge Nicholas Barker noted that the estimated length of any trial would be around three weeks. A trial judge has yet to be identified.
In the meantime Kelly, of Hunday Court, Workington, was remanded in custody while Wright, of Workington, was granted conditional bail. Mr English said a bail application in relation to Kelly would be made in due course.
