Mother appears in court ahead of manslaughter trial

A mother accused of killing her seven-year-old son in 2017 through gross negligence has appeared in court today for a pre-trial hearing ahead of her manslaughter trial.

Laura Heath, from Birmingham, previously pleaded not guilty to the gross negligence manslaughter of Hakeem Hussain, who was found dead by paramedics at a house in the city’s Cook Street, on November 26.

She also denies two counts of child cruelty.

Heath, 39, appeared for a pre-trial hearing over a video link from HMP Peterborough at Birmingham Crown Court today, with a six-week trial date confirmed to start on March 14.

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Laura Heath, 39, (pictured) from Birmingham, appeared for a pre-trial hearing over a video link from HMP Peterborough at Birmingham Crown Court today, with a six-week trial date confirmed to start on March 14

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She previously pleaded not guilty to the gross negligence manslaughter of Hakeem Hussain (pictured), who was found dead by paramedics at a house in Birmingham in 2017

Almost 50 witnesses are scheduled to give evidence during the trial, the court heard.

During a 19-minute hearing Heath sat alone wearing a grey Nike hoodie, her hair in a ponytail, and gave a double thumbs-up to the camera when Judge Paul Farrer QC asked to confirm if she was the defendant.

A previous hearing was told details of the manslaughter charge, alleging Heath breached her duty of care to Hakeem in that she ‘failed to manage his asthma’ by ‘failing to administer medication, twice daily, (and a) failure to ensure an adequate supply of medication’.

The earlier hearing was also told that the charge alleges she had failed ‘by exposing him to known asthma triggers’ and ‘failing to seek medical help when clear his asthma symptoms were not under control’.

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Pictured: Two ambulances and a paramedic rushed to the scene at 7.30am on November 26, 2017, but Hakeem had suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be saved

The child cruelty allegations date to incidents in 2017.

Adjourning the case for trial, Judge Farrer told the defendant: ‘Ms Heath your trial will start on March 14.

‘In the meantime, as you know, you are remanded in custody.’

Hakeem, of Long Acre, Nechells, was described by his school’s headteacher shortly after his death as ‘a most beautiful little boy, a great friend to many staff and children, with a wicked sense of humour and an infectious giggle’.

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