Blackpool mother whose murder trial collapsed killed newborn Edith while drunk, stressed and exhausted, according to new ruling

A new verdict on the death of baby Edith in November 2020

Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead.

In November 2020, baby Edith was pronounced dead at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Her mother, Laura, was charged with murder but the trial collapsed when the evidence given by the expert was disputed.

But now - almost six years on - a family court judge has ruled that the mother did kill her daughter. He has also declined a request that she be given anonymity - and, oddly, that Blackpool Victoria Hospital be given anonymity.

There will be no fresh criminal investigation as a result of the ruling. Criminal courts work on ‘beyond all reasonable doubt’ whereas family court can make decisions on the balance of probabilities.

But despite that difference - the judge was clear and said: “The mother was responsible for the death of baby Edith.”

Blackpool briefing

🏠 Residents in the Revoe area of Blackpool have three more drop-in sessions planned to discuss a controversial regeneration scheme which includes demolition of their homes. The next one is an all-day session set to take place at the Ibbison Community Centre on Tuesday June 9, from 9am to 7pm. Blackpool Council’s Central Housing Regeneration Area project sees some 300 houses within a ‘red line’ area off Central Drive being proposed for demolition. And a full planning application, including demolition of those homes and the erection of 230 new ones, is expected to appear in the council’s planning portal imminently. The council is urging residents to attend the remaining sessions and find out exactly what the project entails and what is expected to happen in the months ahead. Although residents agree that the Revoe area is desperately in need of regeneration, many of them want to see their homes refurbished instead of being knocked down.

'We are being forced out': Council accused of displacing community with regeneration plans

🎢 Proposals for two rides to be sited at Blackpool’s South Pier are set for a public inquiry hearing after the scheme was rejected on two occasions by resort planners. Back in September, Blackpool Pier Company’s application for planning permission for the siting of two rides – a Log Flume and a Starflyer – on either side of South Pier Headland area, was rejected. Just two months later, in November a new application, this time for a Certificate of Proposed Lawfulness (CLOPED) for the siting of two rides, was also refused. Blackpool Pier Company contended that the rides would prove a major attraction and help boost tourism, and that money raised from them would be vital in helping to repair and maintain all three piers, But in rejecting the CLOPED application on December 17, the planning head argued that the application constituted ‘development’ and would need full planning permission. The bid for the CLOPED was consequently refused on those grounds. Now an appeal hearing, concerning both applications, is to be determined by the Planning Inspectorate after the pier company launched an appeal.

🍴 Blackpool’s ambitious Southbeach Streetfood project is now offering more job roles as the big opening day gets closer. With the summer holidays looming, the team behind the project are now recruiting kitchen assistants who will be adept at operating in a busy venue. The site is changing each week as site workers press on to get the project up and running for the summer ahead. The new food destination, located opposite the Sandcastle Waterpark on South Shore promenade, will feature 19 converted shipping containers. It will include food concessions ranging from Thai and Mexican to Spanish tapas and wood fired pizza, as well as offering vegetarian and gluten-free options. There will be seating for up to 400 diners, and the venue be designed with entertainment space so it can host events and music, with screens to show big sporting occasions.

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Blackpool mother whose murder trial collapsed killed newborn Edith while drunk, stressed and exhausted, according to new ruling

Laura Langley

By Michael Holmes

A Blackpool mother whose murder trial collapsed over conflicting medical opinions killed her newborn daughter while drunk, stressed and exhausted, a family court judge has ruled.

Laura Langley, 40, tried to “conceal the truth and exculpate herself from any responsibility” after causing seven-week-old Edith’s death by squeezing her twice, crushing her ribs, Mr Justice MacDonald at the Royal Courts of Justice in London has concluded.

But she faces no fresh criminal prosecution, with the Crown Prosecution Service saying it no longer has a “reasonable prospect of securing a conviction”.

It told The Blackpool Lead: “We understand the impact this has had on Edith’s family, and our thoughts remain with them.”

Langley’s trial at Preston Crown Court was halted - with the former healthcare assistant walking free - after evidence from Professor Charles Mangham, who said Edith’s rib injuries could not have been caused by CPR, was disputed by other experts.

Prof Mangham, the main bone pathologist dealing with suspicious death cases in the UK, has since referred himself to the General Medical Council, with one national newspaper reporting that at least three high court judges have raised concerns about the quality of evidence or his workload in the past six years.

But Mr Justice MacDonald said Prof Mangham’s evidence in the family court, which has a lower standard of proof than a criminal court, was “careful, considered and analytically rigorous”.