Mother, 21, and father, 32, of eight-week-old baby girl who died after suffering a ‘traumatic head injury’ at her home go on trial for murder
- Holly Roe, eight weeks, died at Pembury Hospital in Kent in September 10 2018
- Father Michael Roe, 32, and mother Tiffany Tate, 21, are on trial for her murder
- Trial in Lewes is expected to last six weeks with prosecution opening tomorrow
The parents of an eight-week-old baby have gone on trial accused of her murder.
Holly Roe died in the early hours of September 10 2018 after paramedics were scrambled to her East Sussex home following reports she was suffering ‘severe breathing problems’.
She was rushed to Pembury Hospital near Tonbridge, Kent, where medics battled to save her but she died later that day.
Her father Michael Roe, 32, was arrested at home in Crowborough in September last year in relation to the death of his daughter and remanded in custody.
He was later charged with the murder of a child under one-years-old between September 8 and 11 2018 and causing or allowing the death of a child during the same time period.
Holly’s mother Tiffany Tate, 21, was also arrested and charged with the same two offences. They appeared side by side in the dock at Lewes Crown Court today.
Michael Roe, 32, and Tiffany Tate, 21, are pictured outside Lewes Crown Court today where they are charged with murder of a child under one and allowing or causing the death of a child under one
Pictured: Roe and Tate are pictured with baby Holly before she died in September last year
Roe wore a dark suit, white shirt and dark tie, while Tate sported a pale blue blazer, blouse and jeans.
Both Roe and Tate, from Crowborough in East Sussex, have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The judge, Justice Clare Moulder, said today: ‘This a very sad case of the death of a baby only a few weeks old and it is the prosecution case that one of her parents murdered her and the other allowed it to happen.’
She told the jury of five women and seven men the case was ‘shocking and tragic’ and that evidence would give rose to ‘strong feelings.’
Pictured: Baby Holly was just eight-weeks-old when she died after being rushed to hospital
However she told them they must not be swayed by their emotions but must judge the two defendants on the evidence only.
The prosecution case against the couple is due to open tomorrow.
Roe was remanded in custody and Tate was released on bail to reappear in court tomorrow.
The trial, which is due to take up to six weeks, continues.
Tiffany Tate, 21, (pictured with newborn Holly) baby Holly’s mother, also of Crowborough, is charged with murder of a child under one and causing or allowing the death of a child
Michael Roe, 32, is charged with murdering his eight-week-old baby Holly Roe and causing or allowing her death