A REPORT looking at how Leiland-James Corkill came to be killed by his prospective adoptive mother is expected to be published this month.

Laura Castle was jailed for life after she was convicted of murdering the 13-month-old looked after child.

Born in Whitehaven, Leiland-James was taken into care shortly after birth and was placed with Castle and her husband 

The youngster was still under the care of Cumbria County Council when he was killed in Barrow in January last year.

An independent report commissioned by the county's Safeguarding Children Partnership is understood to be in the final stages of completion and is due to be published soon.

The partnership brings together organisations including the police and clinical commissioning groups in the area.

The report is due to focus on period between him being taken into care and his death.

It is due to look into two phase, starting with the adoption process and how the Castles came to be approved by authorities. 

It is also due to examine the period after Leiland-James was placed in their care.

He came into their home in August 2020 ahead of the Castles formally adopting him.

The report will attempt to identify any issues with how different agencies worked with the family during the adoption process.

A trial at Preston Crown Court heard how Laura and Scott Castle first expressed interest in adopting a baby in 2014.

It took until 2019 when they started the process of adopting with Cumbria County Council.

Jurors were told the couple had undergone a rigorous process by the council in being allowed to look after Leiland-James.

Laura Castle was found guilty of murdering Leiland-James in May.

After the verdict, John Readman, the council's executive director for people, issued an apology, saying: "Adoption should have been a new beginning for Leiland.

"That was cruelly taken away from him by the person who should have cared for him and kept him safe.

"We are deeply sorry for Leiland's death, it should not have happened.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with his birth family and all those who knew this little boy.

"Abuse of a child by adopters is almost unheard of and we are determined to do everything we can to prevent this happening again, here or anywhere else."