A couple in Cumbria will face trial in April over the death of a one-year-old boy they were trying to adopt.

Leiland Corkill died in hospital on 7 January 2021, after emergency services were called to an address in Barrow-in-Furness, the previous day.

On Friday, Laura Castle, 38, from Barrow, denied the murder of Leiland and pleaded not guilty to an alternative count of manslaughter.

Scott Castle, 35, also from Barrow, pleaded not guilty to causing or allowing the toddler to die.

Both defendants appeared at Preston Crown Court where they also denied allegations of child cruelty.

A trial date has been listed for 26 April.

Following Leiland’s death, Cumbria County Council confirmed he was being looked after by the local authority and at the time was placed with adoptive parents.

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