Mum, 34, admits infanticide after throwing newborn baby from the balcony of flats
A MUM has admitted the infanticide of a newborn baby whose body was found in a garden.
Sarah Jayne Barron, 34, entered the plea during a brief hearing at Bristol Crown Court.
A police investigation was opened after the newborn’s body was discovered in a private garden in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, on December 12 2020.
Barron had previously denied a charge of murder but admitted the plea of infanticide when she was re-arraigned.
The court was told the offence was committed on December 4, 2020 when Barron “caused the death of your child under 12 months by wilful act by throwing them over the balcony of your flat at the time you had not fully recovered from the effects of giving birth”.
Anna Vigars KC, prosecuting, told the court the plea was acceptable to the Crown and a trial will not be necessary.
Charles Row KC, defending Barron, asked for the case to be adjourned for the preparation of psychiatric reports.
Barron, whose current address was withheld by the court, was released on conditional bail until she is sentenced on July 14.
Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, told the defendant: “The prosecution has indicated today your guilty plea to the alternative charge of infanticide is acceptable and therefore the trial listed for July 17 is to be vacated, as is the further case management hearing on June 15.
“The sentencing exercise will now be undertaken on July 14 and until then you will be on bail with conditions.
“The fact you have pleaded guilty will enable the judge to give you credit for your guilty plea and it will be for the judge to decide how much you will be given.
“Having read what I have read, I suspect considerable credit will be afforded.”