The heartbreaking case of Brendon Staddon, a two-week-old baby who died while in hospital care, has come before the courts. Daniel Gunter, 27, and Sophie Staddon, 23, are standing trial at Bristol Crown Court, accused of murdering the infant at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on March 5, 2024.
Both defendants, who have no fixed addresses, face charges of murder as well as causing or allowing the death of Brendon Staddon. The jury, composed of eight men and four women, was sworn in on Monday for a trial expected to last four weeks.
Mr Justice Swift opened the proceedings by highlighting the gravity of the case. “This concerns the death of a very young child, Brendon Staddon, who was only two weeks old at the time of his death,” he explained. “He had been in the special care baby unit at Yeovil District Hospital since birth. His death resulted from very serious injuries.”
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Prosecutor Charles Row KC will begin presenting the case on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, defense counsel Andrew Langdon KC represents Daniel Gunter, and Adam Vaitilingam KC defends Sophie Staddon.
Jurors were provided with a lengthy list of 91 people connected to the case, underscoring its complexity. Both defendants deny the charges against them. The trial is ongoing.