A woman admitted to killing a 12-month-old boy who was placed under her.
Laura Castle, 38, admits to the reckless murder of Leyland-James Corkill, who received injuries “corresponding to an attack” at their home in Barrow-in-Furness and died at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital on January 7, 2021, less. five months later. is accommodated with the couple. She denies the murder, LancsLive reports.
Prosecutor Michael Brady QC told the Preston Crown Court jury that Leyland-James was placed with Laura Castle and her husband Scott, 34, in August 2020, after being approved for adoption by the County Council. Cumbria. They looked “positive” and their home was “child-friendly” in the early stages of the adoption process, the court heard.
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Within days of picking up the baby, it became clear that Laura Castle was struggling, Mr Brady told QC. In the following months, “disappointment turned into hostility” and “physical violence culminated in murder,” he told the court. In text messages, the couple often called the baby “k *** head”, “e ***” and “sh ** bag” and talked about “tearing him off” and “reddening his lame”.
The day before Leyland-James died, Scott Castle told his wife that “a good, strong slap can stop him from being an ak *** head.” In September 2020, Laura Castle sent a message to her husband that he had to stop hitting the baby, adding: “If I start, I won’t stop at one point and that doesn’t get us anywhere and then I feel bad.”
Scott Castle responded by saying he didn’t like Leyland-James either, adding: “He’s an ad *** baby. I don’t think any of us want to be that person. You’re not failing, baby, I think you’re doing an amazing job. “
The couple discussed returning Leyland-James to the care system, but said other family members loved him and believed the £ 170 fee would be a “loss of money”, Mr Brady told QC.
In November 2020, social workers involved in the adoption process expressed concern when Laura Castle said she did not like Leyland-James. Social worker Beth Taylor said that “they feel it while watching it and should keep it because everyone else in the family loves it.”
In December, case manager Penny Hindle told the couple she would not approve the final stages of the adoption process until further therapeutic work is done to address attachment and family attachment. It was decided to offer sessions in the new year, but on January 6, 2021, Laura Castle called 999 to announce that Leyland-James had fallen off the couch and was unresponsive.
He was taken to Furness General Hospital before being transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where an MRI scan showed hemorrhage in the brain and multiple bruises on his head. He was deeply unconscious and critically ill, Mr Bailey told QC.
During the transfer to Alder Hey, Laura Castle said she left Leiland-James for just a minute to remove the plates when she heard a crash. She said, “I’m going to jail for that.”
At 3:30 p.m., Leyland-James was pronounced dead. Doctors were not convinced by Laura Castle’s explanation of how Leyland-James got to his injuries. Pathologist-consultant Dr. Alison Armor performed an autopsy and was of the opinion that most of the injuries to the body, head and face were consistent with the attack.
The bruises on his head and face were consistent with slapping, pinching, pinching, pushing, and stinging. A black bruise on the right upper lip and an enlargement on the lining of the right upper lip may be consistent with forcibly placing an object, perhaps a bottle / drinking glass, Dr. Armor said.
Mr Bailey QC said: “The text messages on the defendants ‘mobile phones reveal that in the months leading up to Leyland-James’ death, Castles treated him with aggressive and unpleasant words. Laura Castle’s use of illegal corporal punishment of Leyland-James had been discussed. The Crown says Scott Castle was not only aware of his wife’s treatment of Leyland-James, but actively encouraged him. “
Scott Castle is accused of causing or allowing the death of a child and both parents are accused of cruelty to the child. Mr Bailey QC said: “He (Scott Castle) put his relationship with Laura Castle before his duty to defend Leyland-James, telling her that she was doing an amazing job and that she was not a violent parent. He was wrong on both points.
“He refused to act on the basis of the very clear and repeated allegations made by Laura Castle that she was injuring Leyland-James. She even admitted at one point that she might not stop.
“Instead of taking steps to prevent further harm to Leyland-James, he agreed and encouraged his wife’s actions and even blamed Leyland-James for the situation. He may have been asleep at the time his wife killed Leyland-James, but that does not relieve him of the responsibility he had previously had to defend Leyland-James. A responsibility he was aware of and ignored.
“The general behavior of the castles went beyond bad parenting and was tantamount to cruelty. Laura Castle’s cruelty to Leyland-James is acknowledged in reports to Scott Castle. Scott Castle’s cruelty may not have been as great as his wife’s, but he endorsed and encouraged his wife’s treatment of Leyland-James and, by his own admission, hit Leyland-James many times. “
Laura Castle denies murder and cruelty. Scott Castle denies cruelty and causing or allowing the death of a child.
The process continues. It is expected to last one week.
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