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Mother 'poisoned' boy with salt Mother 'poisoned' boy with salt
(about 2 hours later)
A mother murdered her 16-month-old son by poisoning him with table salt, a court heard.A mother murdered her 16-month-old son by poisoning him with table salt, a court heard.
Joshua was taken into hospital on 24 February 2004 in a seriously ill condition and died three days later. Marianne Williams' son Joshua was taken to hospital in 2004 in a seriously ill condition and died three days later.
Richard Smith QC, prosecuting at Winchester Crown Court, said tests showed the boy had very high levels of sodium in his body. Prosecutor Richard Smith QC told Winchester Crown Court tests showed the boy had very high levels of sodium in his body.
Marianne Williams, 24, of Wiltshire, denies a charge of murder and an alternative of manslaughter. Ms Williams, 24, of Wiltshire, denies a charge of murder and an alternative of manslaughter.
Mr Smith told the jury: "Joshua's death had been caused by that very high level of sodium in his body. That fatal condition did not occur, say the Crown, in any way naturally.Mr Smith told the jury: "Joshua's death had been caused by that very high level of sodium in his body. That fatal condition did not occur, say the Crown, in any way naturally.
"Rather, it was the result of Joshua having been given an excessive amount of sodium, most likely predominantly, but not exclusively, common table salt.
Joshua had medical problems and needed daily medicationJoshua had medical problems and needed daily medication
"Rather, it was the result of Joshua having been given an excessive amount of sodium, most likely predominantly, but not exclusively, common table salt.
"Joshua had in effect been poisoned with a sodium, salt if you like, overdose."Joshua had in effect been poisoned with a sodium, salt if you like, overdose.
"The evidence leads to a sad but inevitable conclusion that this defendant, Marianne Williams, administered that sodium to cause her son's death.""The evidence leads to a sad but inevitable conclusion that this defendant, Marianne Williams, administered that sodium to cause her son's death."
Sodium medication He died in hospital on 27 February 2004.
The court heard that when Joshua was born he weighed only 2lb 10oz (1.2kg) and had a number of medical problems.The court heard that when Joshua was born he weighed only 2lb 10oz (1.2kg) and had a number of medical problems.
Small kidneys
Mr Smith said: "Joshua needed intensive round-the-clock medical care as well as a substantial amount of daily medication to try to foster his survival and his growth."Mr Smith said: "Joshua needed intensive round-the-clock medical care as well as a substantial amount of daily medication to try to foster his survival and his growth."
The jury heard Joshua's very small kidneys meant he found it difficult to conserve enough sodium in his system.The jury heard Joshua's very small kidneys meant he found it difficult to conserve enough sodium in his system.
He was medicated with sodium chloride almost every day to restore his body's natural balance, the court heard.He was medicated with sodium chloride almost every day to restore his body's natural balance, the court heard.
The case continues.The case continues.