Mum cleared of 'squeezing her baby to death' after new expert evidence

Laura Langley wept and hugged her family after being acquitted of murdering her own baby - almost four years to the day she died. The 38-year-old had been accused of 'squeezing her baby to death' following the loss of her daughter Edith.

The seven-week-old had stopped breathing at home on November 20, 2020. A murder trial was opened in October 2023, but it was stopped after significant concerns were raised over expert evidence used by the prosecution.

And ahead of the first day of a new trial at Preston Crown Court today (November 18), two leading experts in pathology and bone health had said Edith's injuries were consistent with resuscitation methods used at hospital. Prosecutors offered no further evidence and Ms Langley was formally found not guilty, Lancs Live reports.

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Edith was rushed from home, in Blackpool, to Blackpool Victoria Hospital after her mum dialled 999 shortly before 4am on November 20, 2020. Tragically, the baby could not be revived and she was pronounced dead at 4.43am.

Ms Langley was charged with her murder - a charge she fiercely denied. In October 2023, a trial was opened, with Ms Langley accused of causing the injuries to Edith in the days before she died.

A post-mortem examination found Edith had 33 fractures to her ribs. An expert in bone health, Prof David Manghan, was instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The CPS said the injuries were non-accidental, with some of them being up to four days old. Prof Manghan said the location of some of the fractures was inconsistent with having been caused during CPR.

However, during the trial, significant concerns were raised over expert evidence which formed the basis of the prosecution case. Defence expert, Prof Edward McCarthy said Edith's injuries were consistent with being caused during the CPR.

He also raised issues around Edith's bone density. The jury was discharged with both experts being asked to give further consideration to the issue ahead of a new trial which was set for today.

As Ms Langley was set to stand trial accused of Edith's murder, prosecutor Mr Cray KC offered no evidence on behalf of the CPS. He said that in September 2024, the prosecution was made aware of a similar case in the family courts - also involving the ageing of fractures and questions over whether the injuries were deliberate.

Mr Justice Keehan, the presiding judge, made 'various criticisms' of the methodology used by Prof Manghan. In light of this a third expert, Prof Anthony Freeman, was instructed to review the evidence and produce a report of his findings.

He was tasked to consider the two competing expert opinions and form an opinion. Mr Cray KC said: "He rejects the principles on which the prosecution case relies. Whilst he is critical of aspects of both professors' evidence he does not agree that there is any evidence of the fractures being inflicted on any separate occasions.

"He gives the opinion that the method of resuscitation used at the hospital could explain the location and distribution of the fractures. It now follows that there are two experts with great experience in relevant fields who contradict the crown."

Mr Justice Morris formally returned not guilty verdicts to all charges against Ms Langley. He said: "I understand the basis on which the prosecution has decided to offer no evidence. I therefore direct that not guilty verdicts are to be recorded. These verdicts have the same effect as if the defendant had been tried and acquitted by a jury."