Killed Casey's funeral to be held

Neighbours said Casey Leigh was always smiling

A coroner has given permission for the funeral to go ahead of a child who was discovered dead in a pool of blood at her home on an east Leeds estate.

The body of Casey Leigh Mullen, aged two, was found at a house in Oak Tree Crescent in Gipton last month. Her funeral is due to take place next week.

Her uncle, 21-year-old Michael Mullen, of Lawrence Road, Leeds, has been charged with her rape and murder.

Coroner David Hinchliff adjourned the inquest until after Mr Mullen's trial.

The initial circumstances of the toddler's death were outlined at the short hearing at Leeds Coroner's Court.

Det Supt Steve Payne told the inquest a post-mortem examination showed Casey died from compression of the neck.

It emerged that a second post mortem examination had been carried out on her body, at the request of Mr Mullen's defence lawyers.

Recorder of Leeds, Judge Norman Jones QC, has already told Mr Mullen his trial date had been set for 2 July.

He will next appear at crown court for a plea and case management hearing on 16 April.