Mother charged with daughter's murder

Maxine Robinson is an inmate at Durham Prison

A County Durham mother who claimed her daughter died 13 years ago from cot death has been charged with her murder.

Maxine Robinson, 34, is charged with the murder of Victoria Cope.

Victoria was nine-months-old when she died in the bedroom of the family home in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Robinson will appear before magistrates in Peterlee on 5 February.

Sudden death

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "The investigation into Victoria's death was reopened following information passed on to us from staff at Durham Prison, where Robinson is an inmate.

"Victoria died in the bedroom of her home in White Hill Crescent, Pelton on 16 June, 1989.

"A subsequent post-mortem concluded she died as a result of sudden infant death syndrome.

"Victoria's father was Les Cope, Maxine Robinson's first husband.

"The couple subsequently divorced and she later married Peter Robinson and lived in the Ouston area of County Durham."

The spokesman said Robinson was arrested and questioned on 27 January.