Oldham mum accused of murdering son, 5, has charges altered

Claire Scanlon is accused of killing her son Dylan Scanlon, five, at their home on December 31, 2021.

Dylan was found with 64 separate injuries to his head and body, but his cause of death was mirtazapine (an antidepressant) toxicity.

Scanlon was initially charged with three counts, one count of murder, with an alternative lesser count of manslaughter, as well as a further alternative lesser count of child cruelty.

During the fourteenth day of the 38-year-old's trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday, the jury was told by Judge Mrs Justice Yip that under her directions Scanlon’s charge of child cruelty was being split into two counts.

Scanlon charges are now made up of four counts, count one murder, count two manslaughter, count three child cruelty for repeated assault and count four child cruelty for neglecting/failing to seek medical assistance.

Judge Mrs Justice Yip explained to the jury that the child cruelty charge on the indictment has been separated into two parts.

She said it now includes an allegation that Scanlon repeatedly assaulted Dylan, and an allegation that she neglected Dylan by failing to seek medical injuries for both his injuries, however sustained, and the effects of mirtazapine poisoning.

Scanlon, of Elm Road, Limeside, has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against her.

When giving evidence Scanlon said she never hit her son Dylan and never gave him mirtazapine or ever saw him with mirtazapine tablets.

She has claimed that Dylan fell the day before he died, which caused his injuries, and that he must have taken the tablets himself as they were alone in the house at the time.

She also told the jury that she does not remember the say Dylan died.

Read our coverage of the trial so far:

• 'You'll never see him again' - chilling message from mum accused of son's murder
• Dad of Oldham boy, 5, recalls devastating moment he learned his son was dead
• Oldham mum accused of murdering son, 5, 'shut herself away'
• Mum accused of murder told hospital worker she 'dropped son from attic'
• Mother admitted she killed son to support worker, trial hears
• Mum accused of murder 'could not explain' anti-depressants in son's system
• Mum accused of murdering son, 5, insists 'I didn't give him drugs'
• Mum accused of killing son questioned over 'just cremate us' letter
• Mum accused of killing son struggled to 'act rationally' before his death
• Giving boy anti-depressants would have been 'planned', trial hears

The jury has now heard all the evidence in the case and is set to receive further directions from judge as the trial continues this week.

Over the next few days, the jury will hear closing speeches by the defence and prosecution and a summary of the evidence from Judge Mrs Justice Yip before they are sent to deliberate a verdict.

The trial continues.