Trial date shelved for Leeds mum accused of murdering her three-year-old daughter
Questions remain over fitness to plea
A planned trial for mum charged with murdering her three-year-old daughter in East Leeds has been shelved.
The body of Hope McGrath was found at a property in Colton in July last year.
Pippa McGrath has been held in a secure unit since. She was not present for the brief hearing at Leeds Crown Court this morning where updates were discussed.
She had been due to stand trial in February of this year, but due to the ongoing delays it was rescheduled for October 12. This date has now also been “vacated” - effectively cancelled.
A further hearing will now be held on November 6 where psychiatric reports will be considered. The judge, Mr Justice Nicholas Hilliard KC, said a “judicial decision” was required to determine whether McGrath will eventually stand trial, or alternatively a trial of fact takes place.
Trials of fact go ahead without the defendant present. A jury is tasked with listening to the evidence and deciding whether the defendant had committed the act. A guilty or not-guilty decision cannot be recorded.
McGrath, who turns 49 in September, remains in a secure hospital where she is being treated.
Police had been called to an address on Austhorpe Court shortly after 11am last Wednesday, July 30, after concerns were raised about the safety of a young child.
Officers found the body of three-year-old Hope inside the property.
McGrath was taken to hospital for urgent medical treatment.
She was later arrested on suspicion of murder.