A woman and her former partner have appeared in court accused of murdering her 18-month old son while living in a caravan during coronavirus lockdown.
Sian Hedges, 26, and Jack Benham, 34, are alleged to have been in sole charge of Alfie Philips on the night he died on November 28, 2020.
At the time of his death, Alfie was staying with his mother and Benham in an open-plan caravan in the garden at Benham’s home in Hernhill, near Faversham, Kent.
Kent Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service were called following concerns for the welfare of the child, but he was later pronounced dead in hospital.
During a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent, prosecutor Jennifer Knight KC said a pathologist concluded his death was the result of his injuries.
At the time of his death, Alfie was staying with his mother and Benham in an open-plan caravan in the garden at Benham’s home in Hernhill, near Faversham, Kent
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Both Hedges and Benham were arrested that same day and released on bail, pending an investigation into Alfie’s death by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.
They were charged with murder and the alternative offence of causing or allowing the death of a child on Monday, March 6.
During their crown court hearing in front of Judge Julian Smith, Hedges, of Fillace Park, Yelverton in Devon, appeared via a link with Eastwood Park Prison near Bristol.
Benham, of Highstreet Road, Hernhill, appeared from Elmley Prison on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. The pair spoke only to confirm their names.
A trial, expected to last three to four weeks and to be heard by a High Court judge, was fixed to start on October 3.
Hedges and Benham will appear for a further hearing on May 19, when they are expected to enter their pleas.
Both were remanded in custody. A bail application for Hedges was refused by Judge Smith, and one was not made on behalf of Benham.
