Jury still out in boy murder case

Christopher Hawkins told the court he loved his children

The jury in the case of a father accused of stabbing his four-year-old son to death is deliberating its verdict for the second day.

Christopher Hawkins, of Royd Street, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, denies murdering Ryan and attempting to murder his daughter Donna, 14.

Leeds Crown Court heard the boy was stabbed nine times. His sister was stabbed 13 times but survived.

Mr Hawkins, 47, said he was "insane" and did not recall the attacks.

The incident took place at Mr Hawkins's home last September, where he had lived since he and the children's mother Valerie Gee split up.

The prosecution alleges that Mr Hawkins attacked his children as an act of revenge on his wife who had started an affair and left him.

The jury has been told Mr Hawkins allegedly wrote notes including details of what day he would kill his son.

The steel worker admitted the notes were written in his handwriting but said he did not remember writing them.