July 2022

Sentence of child killer Laura Castle was NOT ‘unduly lenient’

Leiland-James Corkill, who was taken into care at birth, died from catastrophic head injuries five months after being approved to live with Laura Castle, 38, and her husband Scott Castle, 35, by authorities in Cumbria.

Laura Castle had admitted fatally shaking 13-month-old Leiland-James Corkill after her lawyer said she “lost it” over his crying.

Her husband Scott Castle was cleared of causing or allowing his death at the couple’s home in Barrow, Cumbria, in January 2021.

At Preston Crown Court, Mrs Castle, 38, was also found guilty of one charge of child cruelty.

Jurors took just two-and-half hours to convict her of murder.

She will be sentenced on 25 May.

The court heard Leiland-James was taken into care by Cumbria County Council two days after his birth on 21 December 2019.

He moved in with the couple in August 2020 and within weeks Mrs Castle was sending her husband messages while he was at work criticising Leiland-James, calling him vulgar names and a “moaning whinge bag” and describing how she had “absolutely leathered” him.

Social services were aware the couple were struggling to bond with him but there were no concerns for his safety as no suspicious bruises or marks were seen, the court was told.

Mrs Castle called 999 at about 08:15 GMT on 6 January 2021 to say he was unconscious and breathing awkwardly after falling from the sofa.

Leiland-James died at about 15:00 GMT the following day at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, where doctors were highly suspicious of Mrs Castle’s account.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said when it became clear her first story did not explain the youngster’s injuries, Mrs Castle searched the internet for what might cause a bleed on the brain and then gave a different account to police in her interview.

On the opening day of her trial, she admitted manslaughter but said she did not mean to kill him.

She told the court she had “lost her mind” as the boy was crying and she shook him to try and silence him.

Pathologists said “severe” and “considerable” force would have been needed to cause the fatal brain injuries he suffered, and believed his head had been struck against a hard surface.

They said his injuries were a classic indicator of “abusive head trauma”, a replacement term for “shaken baby syndrome”, and were of the severity seen in high-speed car crashes.

Pathologist Dr Alison Armour identified a number of bruises and marks on Leiland-James’ face, head and body, including one on his cheek indicative of a slap, others on his forehead consistent with being prodded or poked and another on his ear which was most likely caused by “pinching or twisting” with “significant force”.

Prosecutors disputed Mrs Castle’s claim of feeling “frustrated” over his crying and said she had “lost her temper” with Leiland-James after he spat his breakfast out.

Michael Brady QC said neighbours did not hear the sound of a crying baby that morning but did hear a loud thud which, he said, was the moment she inflicted the fatal injuries.

Neighbours told the court they frequently heard Mrs Castle shouting and what sounded like a child being slapped.

Police found text messages between the married couple which were derogatory towards Leiland-James.

Laura Castle text her husband that the baby was a “proper n** head”, “s*** bag” and “top t***”, while her husband said he was a “d*** baby”, “fat s***” and “toss bag”.

She also admitted to ‘absolutely leathering him’.

On September 23 2020 she texted aerospace nightshift worker Mr Castle: “I honestly really don’t like him lately, hes an absolute moaning winge bag and I totally regret doin this.

“I’m goin to lose my mind. He just pisses me off all the time, can never just have a nice day or night ever.

“Although I need to stop smacking him cos if I start I’ll not stop at one point and it’s not getting us anywhere and then I feel bad.”

The next day she messaged: “I’ve just absolutely leathered him, I can(’t) take this anymore, he’s gonna have to go.”

Scott Castle replied: “Right OK baby. He’s really ruined it. At least we have tried.”

On September 25 she wrote: “I’ve just leathered him again, I don’t wanna do this. I’m seriously at my wits end, no one tells you about all this shit. I’m just an abusive parent so it seems.”

Her husband responded: “Your not an abusive parent, baby. Not at all. Don’t say that. I think he’s a little too f—– up for us to handle.

“Let’s just call it quits. I don’t want you to have a mental break down. Your more important to me than him.”

Charlotte Day, the foster mother who took care of Leiland-James for the first eight months of his life, told the court he was a “content” and “happy boy” who loved playing with his toys and being carried and cuddled.

Following the two-and-a-half week trial, jurors took just under three hours to reach their verdicts.

Mr Castle, 35, was cleared of two counts of child cruelty and Mrs Castle found not guilty of a second child cruelty offence.

Cumbria County Council said an independent review was under way into the death of Leiland-James, with a report expected to be published in July.

Joanna Close, senior crown prosecutor with CPS North West, said Leiland-James’ birth mother had “believed he would be safe and have a good life” following his match with the Castles.