Mother charged with baby deaths

A woman appeared in court today charged with the murder of three of her baby children.

The 34-year-old mother, who has not been named for legal reasons, was released on bail after a five-minute hearing at Reading Crown Court.

The woman, from Maidenhead, was also charged with the attempted murder of a fourth child.

All the victims were aged under one year.

She first appeared before magistrates in Reading on Monday and was released on bail before today's appearance. She is charged with committing the murders of the babies, two girls and one boy, between 1997 and 2001.

The charge of attempted murder relates to an incident in 1995 involving a child now aged seven.

The mother, who appeared in court wearing a dark jacket, purple skirt and black boots, did not speak during the hearing.

She was released on conditional bail until 28 June, when there will be a plea and directions hearing at the same court. Her bail conditions include a requirement that she should surrender her passport, and a condition of residence.

Judge Stanley Spence ordered psychiatric and medical reports on the defendant.

Thames Valley Police said the charges followed an investigation carried out by Detective Superintendent Mark Warwick of the force's Major Crimes Unit.

A court order prevents the naming of the woman or the publication of any details which could lead to the identification of the surviving child.