Baby Callum murder accused granted bail

A woman accused of murdering a baby whose body was found in woodland 26 years ago has been granted bail.

Joanne Sharkey, 54, has been charged with murder and concealing a birth over the death of the boy, who was found near Gulliver’s World theme park in Warrington in March 1998.

The baby boy, who was named Callum by police officers, has never been formally identified.

Ms Sharkey, of West Derby, was granted conditional bail at a private hearing at Liverpool Crown Court earlier.

She is due to face a plea hearing at the same court on 25 July ahead of a possible trial in the following January.

She was charged following a decades-long investigation into the death of the abandoned infant, who was named after the Callands district where he was found.

A funeral service was arranged by local people following the discovery and he was buried in Warrington Cemetery in July 1998.

A headstone, which was paid for with money raised by local residents, was inscribed: "With love, from the people of Warrington.”