Joanne Sharkey, 55, appeared in court charged with murder and endeavouring to conceal the birth of a child after the baby, who was later named as Callum, was discovered in woodland in Warrington in 1998
A woman has denied the murder of a baby who was discovered in woodland 26 years ago.
Joanne Sharkey, 55, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today charged with murder and endeavouring to conceal the birth of a child, following the death of the baby, who was later named as Callum. Sharkey, of West Derby, Liverpool, entered not guilty pleas to both counts.
The baby was discovered close to Gulliver’s World theme park in Warrington in March 1998 and he was thought to have been only hours old at the time of his death. Sharkey appeared in the dock wearing all black and with her light brown hair tied back with a clip, she spoke to confirm her name and enter her pleas.
Sharkey, who sat with her head bowed during the brief hearing, will now face a four-week trial beginning on January 14 next year. She was released on conditional bail ahead of a pre-trial review on October 18 by the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC.
Baby Callum was named after the Callands area of the Cheshire town where he was found weighing only 7lb 8oz and wrapped in a black plastic bag by a dog walker near to the theme park. His death sparked an investigation which saw the DNA of nearly 500 women tested, including a number of schoolgirls.
Thousands more were interviewed as part of the probe. A funeral service was arranged by residents and attended by around 150 people, including the Mayor of Warrington. Callum was buried in Warrington Cemetery, being laid to rest in a white coffin surrounded by flowers and children’s toys following a ceremony at St Elphin’s Church. His headstone, which was paid for with money raised by members of the public, was inscribed: "Baby Callum, precious child of God. Laid to rest July 27, 1998. With love, from the people of Warrington."
In July last year, Cheshire Police arrested a man and a woman in connection with Baby Callum’s death. Both were subsequently released on bail. However, Sharkey was rearrested in April on suspicion of murder while the man was not charged, reported the Liverpool Echo.
Detective Inspector Hannah Friend, of the force’s major crime review team, previously said: "I understand that this is an extremely emotional case which has attracted a lot of attention over the past 26 years. However, I would ask people not to speculate. Criminal proceedings are now active against Joanne Sharkey and she has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
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