The parents of a two-week-old infant, the alleged Somerset Child Killers, Daniel Gunter and Sophie Staddon, are on trial, accused of murdering him at the hospital.
Daniel Gunter, 27, and Sophie Staddon, 23, are charged with the murder of Brendon Staddon at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on March 5 of the previous year.
Infant Brendon Staddon was born preterm at 33 weeks on 20 February and succumbed at Yeovil District Hospital on 5 March.
Officers were summoned by personnel at the hospital where the infant was hospitalised. The Major Crime Investigation Team initiated an inquiry shortly thereafter. Both accused, Daniel Gunter and Sophie Staddon, without a permanent residence, have been charged with murder and with causing or permitting Brendon’s death.
The court was informed that preliminary evidence suggested Brendon succumbed to a “substantial skull fracture” while hospitalised in the neonatal unit.
A jury comprising eight men and four women was sworn in for the case, expected to last four weeks, at Bristol Crown Court on Monday.
Mr. Justice Swift stated: “This case pertains to the demise of a very young child named Brendon Staddon, who was two weeks old at the time of his death on March 5, 2024.”At the time of his death, he was in the neonatal intensive care unit at Yeovil District Hospital, where he had resided since birth.
Charles Row KC is the prosecutor, Andrew Langdon KC represents Gunter, and Adam Vaitilingam KC represents Staddon.
On Monday, jurors were presented with a list of 91 individuals who will be involved in the trial.
Mr. Row is scheduled to commence the prosecution’s case on Tuesday morning.
Daniel Gunter and Sophie Staddon refute both allegations and the trial proceeds.
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