May 25, 2022
A Barrow Laura Castle who murdered a baby boy she wanted to adopt has been jailed for at least 18 years.
Laura Castle shook 13-month-old Leiland-James Corkill at their home in January 2021.
She had admitted manslaughter but was found guilty of murder and child cruelty when she appeared at Preston Crown Court.
Mr Justice Jeremy Baker said Castle had a “selfish desire” to keep Leiland-James even though she was struggling to bond with the baby and it was a “tragedy” the Castles did not end the adoption, the BBC reported.
Her husband Scott Castle was cleared of causing or allowing Leiland-James’ death.
Castle, 38, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 18 years.
Castle, dressed all in black, cried throughout the hearing.
Detective Superintendent Dave Pattinson, the senior investigating officer in this case, said: “Leiland-James Corkill died because of continuous, horrific abuse committed by the very person who should have cared for him.
“From the very start of this, Laura Castle has lied about her actions – she denied shaking Leiland-James to both police and medical professionals who were attempting to save his life. It is clear that even now, Laura Castle has never been truthful about her actions that morning of the 6 January – the actions which ultimately led to Leiland-James’ death.
“The horrific text messages she sent show her true nature. She spoke of a little boy in the most despicable of terms, the same child she hoped to adopt on a permanent basis.
“I would like to thank the jury for their role in engaging and listening to all the evidence put before them. This has been a highly emotive trial, the evidence which the jury heard was often very upsetting and I have no doubt this would have been a difficult period for all members of the jury.
“Furthermore, I would like to thank our colleagues within the CPS and our prosecuting counsel Mr Brady QC and Mrs Faux, for the way the case has been prepared and delivered at trial.
“Lastly, I must thank the superb team of officers and staff from Cumbria Constabulary who have shown great dedication and professionalism in investigating such a horrific and emotive case of abuse.
“No child should ever have to experience the sustained abuse Leiland-James suffered. He was only 13 months old, and he was completely defenceless.
“I hope the manner in which it this has been dealt with and the outcome, will reassure the public that the Constabulary will act robustly and bring those responsible for such abuse to justice.”
Leiland-James Corkill was placed with Laura Castle, 38, and her husband in August 2020 as they had applied to adopt him.
Five months later, Leiland-James died aged 13 months. An ambulance was called by Laura Castle at 8.15am on January 6 2021.
Paramedics attended the Castles’ home in Barrow within minutes to find Leiland-James in respiratory arrest, floppy and unresponsive. Laura Castle told paramedics that he had fallen from the sofa.
Leiland-James was taken to Furness General Hospital where he was found to be in cardiorespiratory arrest with a head injury.
He was then transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool where he was treated for his injuries. Despite their best efforts, Leiland-James died the following day.
Concerns were raised immediately by medical staff as Leiland-James’s injuries were inconsistent with Laura Castle’s account that he had fallen from the sofa. The post-mortem findings confirmed that he had suffered a traumatic head injury with a non-accidental cause.
Laura Castle and her husband, Scott Castle were arrested, and the police began an extensive investigation into the death of Leiland-James.
