A foster mother accused of murdering a one-year-old boy she hoped to adopt admitted to hitting him while he lay dying in hospital, a court has heard. Laura Castle, 38, made the confession to a social worker as Leiland-James Corkill was on life support after suffering catastrophic head injuries at her home in Barrow-in-Furness.
Preston Crown Court was told that Castle initially claimed the baby had fallen from a sofa, but medics at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool doubted her account. In a phone call before life support was switched off on January 7 last year, social worker Penny Hindle said Castle told her she had 'previously tapped or slapped' the child.
Hindle, a social worker of 35 years, expressed shock given the emphasis on non-physical discipline during the Castles' adoption training. The couple had undergone a rigorous application process with Cumbria County Council, including therapeutic parenting sessions that forbade corporal punishment.
Laura Castle has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denies murder and child cruelty. Her husband, Scott Castle, 35, has pleaded not guilty to causing or allowing the death and child cruelty. The court heard text messages between the couple referred to Leiland-James in derogatory terms and mentioned 'leathering' him.
Earlier, a colleague of Hindle had raised concerns after Laura Castle said she did not love the boy during a home visit in November 2020. A subsequent review recommended against permanent adoption, though the Castles continued to care for him. A further meeting was scheduled for early January, but the incident occurred on January 6.
Laura Castle's mother, Julie Houghton, testified she had no concerns about her daughter's ability to care for Leiland-James, saying he was 'part of our family'. The trial continues.
