Man and woman in court accused of toddler's murder

The pair have been remanded in custody and will appear at Teesside Crown Court next month

A man and woman have appeared in court accused of murdering a two-year-old girl.

Harrison Simpson, 21, and Alexandra Walker, 25, both of Hartington Close, Thornaby, appeared at Teesside Crown Court via video link from prison.

Mr Simpson is also charged with rape after police were called to Hartington Close on Saturday.

They were both remanded in custody and will be back in court next month for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Both defendants, who are also accused of causing or allowing the death of a child, spoke only to confirm their names, addresses, and dates of birth.

Judge Francis Laird spoke to the prosecutor, Paul Abrahams, and said he was "minded not to set a trial date today" because it was "too early in the proceedings to make extensive directions".

Emergency crews were called on Saturday afternoon following reports of concerns about the child, who later died in hospital.