A COUPLE accused of being involved in the death of a baby are due to go on trial this week

Leiland Corkill died in hospital on January 7 last year after emergency services were called to an address in Barrow the previous day.

Laura Castle, 38, from Barrow, has denied the murder of Leiland, originally from Whitehaven, as well as an alternative count of manslaughter.

Scott Castle, 35, also from Barrow, previously pleaded not guilty to causing or allowing Leiland's death.

They also deny child cruelty.

They are due to face a three-week trial starting from tomorrow.

Following Leiland's death, Cumbria County Council confirmed the boy was looked after by the local authority and at the time was placed with adoptive parents.

One-year-old Leiland died after allegedly sustaining a head injury.

At the time of his death he was placed with adoptive parents but a final adoption order had not yet been granted by the court.

It is a requirement of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 that a child lives with their adoptive parents for a period before an application for an adoption order can be made.

When a child is placed with adopters they assume parental responsibility, but the child also remains ‘looked after’ by the local authority until an adoption order is granted.