Key Points
- Liam Neve and Lauren Murgatroyd, both 26, appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, and pleaded not guilty to murder in the death of a two-month-old baby.
- The defendants also denied causing or allowing the death of a child, two counts of child cruelty, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and two counts of causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical injury.
- The police investigation began on 31 October 2023, when emergency services were called to a home in Bourne, Lincolnshire, and the infant was taken to hospital, where the child died.
- Judge Simon Hirst adjourned the hearing and scheduled the trial to begin during the week of 7 June 2027.
- Reporting restrictions prevent the publication of the infant’s name.
Lincolnshire (Birmingham Express) September 19, 2026 – Two people have formally entered not guilty pleas at Lincoln Crown Court after being charged in connection with the alleged murder of a two-month-old infant following an emergency response in Lincolnshire nearly three years ago.
Liam Neve, 26, residing at Spinney Close, Grimoldby, Louth, Lincolnshire, and Lauren Murgatroyd, 26, residing at Novak Place, Morecambe, Lancashire, both appeared before the court to deny murder and a series of linked child cruelty and bodily harm charges. The proceedings follow an extensive multi-year investigation initiated by Lincolnshire Police following an incident at a domestic address in the town of Bourne on Halloween night in 2023.
What Happened During the Hearing at Lincoln Crown Court?
As reported by police and court reporters attending the hearing at Lincoln Crown Court, the two co-defendants appeared before the judiciary on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, for a scheduled plea and trial preparation session. The court hearing lasted approximately thirty minutes, during which both individuals spoke only to confirm their personal details and officially record their formal pleas.
Both Neve and Murgatroyd formally pleaded not guilty to:
- The murder of a two-month-old child.
- Causing or allowing the death of a child.
- Two separate counts of child cruelty.
- Two separate counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
- Two separate counts of causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical injury.
Following the formal entry of the pleas, presiding Judge Simon Hirst addressed the court gallery and the co-defendants directly. As documented in court records, Judge Simon Hirst directed the accused: “Stand up please both of you. Your trial will take place in the week of June 7 (2027), exactly which day is not clear.” The judge subsequently remanded the proceedings and adjourned the court case pending trial preparation procedures.
What Led to the Initial Emergency Services Response in 2023?
As detailed in statements released by Lincolnshire Police, emergency services personnel were initially dispatched to a residential address located in Bourne, Lincolnshire, on Tuesday, 31 October 2023. Upon arrival at the property, emergency first responders located a two-month-old infant requiring urgent medical care.
The infant was subsequently transported via emergency service vehicle to a nearby hospital facility. Despite efforts by medical staff to provide care, the child was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital. Following the child’s death, detectives and specialist officers from Lincolnshire Police launched a formal, long-term investigation into the circumstances surrounding the infant’s care and physical state.
Under established UK judicial standards and statutory reporting restrictions governing criminal cases involving minors, the court confirmed that the infant cannot be named publicly for legal reasons.
Background of the Particular Development
The court appearance at Lincoln Crown Court marks a formal transition into the trial phase of a complex criminal inquiry that has spanned nearly three years. Following the initial events in October 2023, Lincolnshire Police conducted prolonged forensic and medical investigations to determine the primary cause of death and establish criminal liability.
In major infant death investigations across the United Kingdom, police authorities liaise closely with specialized medical pathologists, paediatricians, and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to review detailed forensic evidence prior to bringing formal charges. The decision by prosecutors to bring multiple primary and alternative indictments—ranging from murder to causing or allowing death and child cruelty—reflects standard legal frameworks under the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. This statutory structure ensures that juries can evaluate both direct active physical harm and secondary parental or caregiving failure.
Because the alleged offences occurred in late 2023 and the formal pleas were recorded in September 2026, the court timeline highlights the extensive procedural durations required for complex forensic cases in the UK judicial system prior to trial execution.
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect the Community and Legal Frameworks
The outcome of this case and its progression toward a June 2027 trial date can impact several key stakeholder groups:
- Local Community in Bourne and Lincolnshire: High-profile cases involving the death of an infant typically generate significant concern and emotional strain within local communities. The lengthy gap between the event and the scheduled trial maintains a prolonged period of legal uncertainty for local residents and involved parties, while underscoring the ongoing focus of regional law enforcement.
- Child Safeguarding Agencies and Social Services: The evidence presented during the forthcoming trial may lead to public interest inquiries or internal safeguarding practice reviews by local authorities in Lincolnshire and Lancashire. Depending on the factual findings regarding supervision and agency involvement prior to October 2023, multi-agency safeguarding hubs (MASH) may re-evaluate reporting protocols and intervention frameworks for high-risk infants.
- Judicial and Crown Prosecution Service Precedents: The trial will test the application of joint enterprise and statutory duty-of-care legislation concerning non-accidental injuries in infants. Legal professionals monitoring the case will evaluate how complex forensic evidence is framed before a jury to distinguish between direct physical infliction of harm and failure to protect a vulnerable child.
