A trial date has been set for a man accused of murdering toddler Maya Louise Chappell.

Michael Daymond, formerly of Shotton Colliery, will stand trial on June 6 this year accused of the murder of the young girl.

A second charge of child cruelty was also added to the allegation made against the 26-year-old when he appeared in court last week.

Maya's mother, Dana Carr, 24, formerly of Shotton Colliery, has been charged with allowing the death of a child and a second charge of child cruelty. She will go on trial at the same time as Daymond.

The two-year-old died in hospital in September, two days after being found in a critical condition at an address in Shotton Colliery.

The Northern Echo: Maya Louise ChappellMaya Louise Chappell (Image: Contributor)

Earlier this month, Judge Howard Crowson vacated a trial date set for Daymond in March to enable time for both defendants to be tried at the same time.

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No pleas have been entered to any of the charges by either of the accused.

Draymond remains remanded in custody while Carr was released on bail until her next hearing on condition that she hand in her passport to police, not interfere with prosecution witnesses and she was made subject to an electronically tagged curfew between 7pm and 7am.

The trial is expected to last at least three weeks.