Mother admits killing son on beach

Jordan's body was found on Coppet Hall Point beach

A woman accused of killing her son on a west Wales beach has pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.

Mirlene Priscilla Stewart, 33, from Washwood Heath in Birmingham, was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Stewart's son Jordan Reid was found dead in a rock pool at the holiday resort of Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, last July.

Police at Coppet Hall beach after Jordan was found

The hearing at Swansea Crown Court had to be delayed for a number of hours after Ms Stewart collapsed before she could enter a plea to charges.

Jordan died in a pool on Coppet Hall Point beach near Saundersfoot in July 2002, just days before his second birthday.

His body was found by a couple out walking their dog on the morning of 23 July.

A post-mortem later concluded he had died from drowning.

An empty pram was found next to the pool.

Police initially carried out a search of the sea in case the boy's parents had gone missing at sea.

Stewart was arrested later that day, but was not charged with Jordan's murder for another three days.

She pleaded not guilty to his murder at a court appearance in August and was remanded in custody.

More than 300 people attended a open-air service held in Saundersfoot harbour to say prayers for Jordan and his family after his body was discovered.

Stewart is now being held in custody awaiting reports.

Statements

Birmingham City Council's social services department released a statement after the hearing ended.

It read: "It was with regret and sadness that Birmingham Social Services learned of the death of Jordan Reid.

"Social Services had a brief one-month involvement with Jordan and his mother and the case was closed last year."

Birmingham Area Child Protection Committee issued a separate statement saying they were "saddened" by Jordan's death.

"In line with Department of Health guidance, a serious cases review by the Area Child Protection Committee is now underway.

"This will ascertain whether there are lessons to be learned from the case about the way in which local professionals and agencies work together to safeguard children.

"This review is always conducted when a child has died or sustained serious injury in suspicious circumstances, and its findings will be reported to the Social Services Inspectorate."