THE Crown Prosecution Service is to review its decision not to bring charges against a father who is suspected of being involved in the death of his nine-month-old baby.

Gary Hughes, 20, was investigated by the police in the wake of his daughter's death, but an inquest into the tragedy ruled Abbie Jade Hughes was unlawfully killed.

The verdict was welcomed by the baby's mother and her family - as well as police, who launched a murder inquiry after her death last July.

Now it has emerged that the CPS - which twice refused to press charges on the grounds there was insufficient evidence - will look at the case again.

A spokesman said yesterday: "The Crown Prosecution Service is aware of the outcome of the coroner's court and will liaise with Cleveland Police about the matter.

"A decision will then be taken about whether the earlier advice given to the police needs to be reconsidered."

Abbie Jade died nine days after she was taken to hospital for the third time in less than six months, following a choking incident while feeding. Each time she needed emergency medical attention she had been left in the sole care of her father, at their home in Hartlepool.

Doctors discovered she had choked on her vomit, which caused heart failure and brain damage.

She died nine days later after her life support machine in a specialist unit at the James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough, was switched off.

Last night, Mr Hughes' father, Peter Hughes, 60, said: "We are disgusted that they could be thinking of reopening the case.

"I just don't believe what has come out. He would not have done anything like that."