Trial date set for pair accused of murdering girl

Isabelle Rose Welsh died in September

A trial date has been set for two people accused of murdering a two-year-old girl.

Isabelle Rose Welsh died in hospital following an incident in Hartington Close, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, on 13 September.

Harrison Simpson, 21, and Alexandra Walker, 25, both of Hartington Close are charged with murder, with the pair yet to enter pleas. Mr Simpson is also charged with rape.

They appeared via video link at Teesside Crown Court to hear a trial, which could take up to six weeks, had been listed for 22 June next year.

Both defendants are also accused of causing or allowing the death of a child and spoke only to confirm they could hear the court over the video system.

At the end of the 10-minute long hearing, Judge Jonathan Carroll said both would be remanded in custody and would return to court "in due course" to enter pleas once prosecutors had finalised charges.