Police consider charges over baby’s death

An inquest into the death of a four-week-old baby has been adjourned after police revealed they are still considering whether to charge his parents in relation to his death.
Flowers left at the scene of 
Freddie Neils deathFlowers left at the scene of 
Freddie Neils death
Flowers left at the scene of Freddie Neils death

Freddie Neil was found unresponsive the day after Matthew and Kim Neil put him to bed on the evening of Christmas Day while they entertained friends.

A pre-inquest review yesterday indicated he wasn’t breathing when they checked on him at lunchtime on Boxing Day, and he was pronounced dead despite desperate attempts to save him.

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It was hoped an inquest at Blackpool Coroners’ Court would determine how Freddie died but it was adjourned after Det Ins Richard McCutcheon told a coroner that police had a meeting with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to see whether charges should be brought against Mr and Mrs Neil.

Addressing Mr and Mrs Neil at the hearing, Coroner for Blackpool and Fylde Alan Wilson said: “You entertained friends on Christmas Day and your older sonAlex had been put to bed at around 8pm.

“Freddie had stayed downstrairs and eventually had been placed in his moses basket but in due course you found him unresponsive around lunchtime on December 26.

“The paramedics attended but he was taken to hospital where he died despite resuscitation efforts.”

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Emergency services were called to the address in Rydal Avenue, Blackpool, where they found Freddie.

It is believed he died after becoming trapped between a bed and a wall.

His parents remain on police bail until June, pendin further inquiries.