Woman accused of murdering Baby Callum appears in court again

Joanne Sharkey, of Denham Close in Croxteth, Liverpool, appeared for a further hearing at Liverpool Crown Court ahead of her murder trial set to take place in March next year.

Sharkey was charged with murder and concealing the birth of a child in connection with the death of Baby Callum.

Callum, a newborn, was found dead on March 14, 1998, in a wooded area of the Callands district of Warrington.

His body was discovered at around 11am, wrapped in a black plastic binbag.

He was named Baby Callum by the community after the area of Warrington in which he was found.

Cheshire Police reopened the murder case last year and arrested two individuals in relation to his murder – a man and a woman.

Baby Callum's funeral at St Elphin's Church (Image: Warrington Guardian) The man was released without charge, but Sharkey was rearrested in April before being charged with murder and remanded in custody.

She appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on July 25, pleading not guilty to the charges.

And her last court appearance was back on August 9, where Judge Flewitt, presiding over the case, confirmed the trial date had been pushed back from the original date of January 14 to a new fixed date of March 3.

In a hearing today, Friday, at Liverpool Crown Court, a mention hearing took place, with Sharkey present in court and dressed in an all-black suit.

Sharkey’s defence barrister addressed Judge Flewitt to confirm that medical evidence being prepared for the trial is expected to be completed by December.

It was also stated the trial was still on track to go ahead on the proposed date in March.

A further hearing to confirm the progress and preparation of the trial was set in place for December 20.

Judge Flewitt addressed the defendant to conclude the hearing. He said: “Ms Sharkey I am going to renew your bail with the same conditions.

“You are next required to be here on December 20 for a further review hearing.”