Baby murder charge mother cleared

Prosecutors have been criticised for keeping a mother accused of murdering her 10-month-old son waiting for 18 months before dropping the case.

Mohammed Khatun died in June 2008 after his mother Saleha, 22, said he fell off a bed at their home in east London.

She was arrested after the death and was due to go on trial in January.

But the case was dropped when no evidence was offered after prosecution experts disagreed on what had caused the injury which led to the death.

Richard Whittam QC, prosecuting, told the Old Bailey that the decision to drop the case was after expert evidence was reviewed, and it was decided there was no realistic prospect of conviction.

'State of misery'

Mrs Khatun was charged in June this year and entered a not guilty plea at the court in August.

Michael Turner QC, defending, said: "In other parts of the country a woman of impeccable character would have been allowed to grieve properly.

"In this jurisdiction, she was charged with murder. Her life has been on hold.

"Where the only evidence is one of experts, and they do not agree, they should not be prosecuted."

Judge Richard Hone entered a formal not guilty verdict and expressed regret she was "kept in a state of misery".

The judge said he would look at other cases going through the legal system to see if he can see any way of speeding them up.