Dead boy 'showed no epilepsy'

Michelle Dickinson denies the charges against her

Tests on the body of a Cumbrian boy, whose mother is charged with allegedly poisoning him with anti-epilepsy drugs, showed no signs of the illness, a court has heard.

Michelle Dickinson, 30, from Seascale, Cumbria, denies attempting to murder her seven-year-old son Michael.

Liverpool Crown Court heard from Dr Helen Whitwell, a professor of forensic pathology.

She told the jury that a post-mortem examination of Michael Dickinson showed no evidence of chronic severe epilepsy.

Hospital death

Dr Whitwell said the examination showed Michael's brain was 80% the normal weight for a child his age, he was three feet nine inches tall and weighed only 50 pounds.

Dr Whitwell carried out the examination on 15 October, 2000, the day after Michael died at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, from pneumonia.

His mother, Michelle Dickinson, is on trial for attempted murder, attempting to cause grievious bodily harm with intent and five charges of ill treating the boy between 30 December and his death.

She has denied the charges. The trial continues.