A woman charged with the murder of baby Callum found in woodland at Warrington 26 years ago is to face trial next year.
Joanne Sharkey, 54, of Denham Close, Croxteth, Liverpool, this afternoon (Thursday) denied both the murder of baby Callum and concealing his birth.
The infant was named Callum after the Callands district of Warrington where he was found, as his true identity could not then be confirmed.
Sharkey, who was wearing a black trouser suit and patterned top and with her auburn hair in bun, pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to “the murder of your infant child subsequently known as baby Callum” between 1 January 1998 and March 14, 1998.
She also denied endeavouring to conceal the birth of a child between March 1 and March 14, 1998.
Nicola Daley, prosecuting, said that the trial had originally been expected to last 14 days but it was now expected to last four weeks.
Judge Andrew Menary, KC, the Recorder of Liverpool, said that the date already provisionally fixed for January 14 next year would remain but fixed a pre-trial review date for October 18.
Sharkey, who showed no emotion during the 20 minute hearing, was further remanded on conditional bail.
The body of the baby was discovered close to the Gulliver’s World theme park in Warrington in March 1998.
A burial and funeral service were arranged by local residents and he was buried in Warrington Cemetery a few months later.
The headstone, which was paid for with money raised by the community, was inscribed “Baby Callum, precious child of God. Laid to rest July 27, 1998. With love, from the people of Warrington”.
Joanne Sharkey pictured leaving court
