The trial of a couple charged in connection with the death of a County Durham has been delayed.

Dana Carr, 24, formerly of Shotton Colliery, appeared before Teesside Crown Court charged with allowing the death of a child and a second charge of child cruelty.

And Michael Daymond, also formerly of Shotton Colliery, appeared in court via a video link from Leeds Prison 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.

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Two-year-old Maya Louise Chappell 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)

No pleas were entered to any of the charges.

Draymond was 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.

Judge Howard Crowson said the trial was listed on June 7 in front of a High Court Judge but a delay in expert reports resulted in the listing being vacated.

The pair will still appear in court on that day to learn when the new trial date will be set.