Man in court charged with murder of baby boy

Police were called to an address in Houghton Regis in February last year

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a six-month-old baby boy.

Bedfordshire Police were called to reports of concern for the welfare of a baby at an address in Houghton Regis, near Luton, at about 17:30 GMT on 9 February 2024.

Archie Woodbridge was taken to hospital, where he died.

This week, Kieran Humphreys, 32, was charged with one count of the murder of a child, one count of child cruelty and one count of conspiring to pervert the course of justice and is due to appear in court again in April.

During the brief hearing at Luton Crown Court, Mr Humphreys, of Bromley Gardens in Houghton Regis, appeared via a video link wearing a grey T-shirt and spoke only to confirm his name.

Judge Michael Simon set a plea and trial preparation hearing at the same court for 22 April, while a trial date was fixed for 3 June.

The accused was remanded in custody and no application for bail was made.

Three other people have been charged in connection with the infant's death and are yet to appear in court.

Sam Wyatt, 33, of Dolphin Drive, nearby in Houghton Regis, and Sharon Humphreys, 58, of Bromley Gardens, were both charged with child cruelty and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Karen Smith, 39, also of Dolphin Drive, was charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

All three were bailed and are due to attend Luton Magistrates' Court on 27 March.