The couple, who cannot be named because of strict legal restrictions surrounding the case, also face charges of wilful neglect of children.

The head of Brighton's child protection unit, Detective Inspector Malcolm Bacon, formally charged the couple on Wednesday after a year-long investigation, named Operation Film, into a series of child deaths.

The 35-year-old man and 24-year-old woman, a common law husband and wife, each sat in separate parts of the court flanked by a total of four security guards.

They remained silent during the proceedings as their separate solicitors and the crown prosecutor discussed the case with a stipendiary magistrate.

The pair are accused of murdering their eighteen-month-old son four years ago, and in March last year murdering their six-week-old son and five-week-old nephew.

They also face seven charges of wilful neglect involving their dead boys and their four young daughters. None of the parties can be named for legal reasons.