This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-24382245
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Hamzah Khan death: Jury considers verdict | Hamzah Khan death: Jury considers verdict |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| The jury in the trial of a mother accused of starving her four-year-old son to death has retired to consider its verdict. | The jury in the trial of a mother accused of starving her four-year-old son to death has retired to consider its verdict. |
| Amanda Hutton, 43, has denied the manslaughter of Hamzah Khan by gross negligence. | Amanda Hutton, 43, has denied the manslaughter of Hamzah Khan by gross negligence. |
| Her trial at Bradford Crown Court heard the boy died in December 2009 after being fed a "grossly inadequate" diet. | Her trial at Bradford Crown Court heard the boy died in December 2009 after being fed a "grossly inadequate" diet. |
| His mummified body was found in his cot at his home in Bradford, West Yorkshire, 21 months later. | His mummified body was found in his cot at his home in Bradford, West Yorkshire, 21 months later. |
| The two-week trial heard that Hamzah most probably died from malnutrition because Ms Hutton neglected him as she concentrated on her alcohol addiction. | |
| 'Harden your heart' | |
| The prosecution said she starved her son to death. | The prosecution said she starved her son to death. |
| But Ms Hutton has told the court that she struggled to get her son to eat and he died suddenly. | |
| Speaking to the jury before they retired, the Recorder of Bradford, Roger Thomas QC, said: "You wouldn't be human if you haven't had some reaction emotionally to the facts of this pretty dreadful case. | |
| "But you've got to harden your heart here and look at it calmly and coolly." | |
| The prosecution claim Ms Hutton was grossly negligent, either because she failed to feed Hamzah or she failed to get medical attention for him when he became ill. | |
| Ms Hutton told the jury she never sought medical advice because she thought he was going through a phase and would grow out of it. | |
| She said she panicked after his death and only kept claiming child benefit for Hamzah because she was worried that, if she stopped, his body would be discovered. | |
| Ms Hutton claims the appalling conditions police officers found at her home when they finally searched the house only developed after her son's death. |