Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / COVENTRY/WARWICKSHIRE
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

Friday, 30 March 2007, 13:34 GMT 14:34 UK

Baby Lilly mother concealed birth

Rachael Davies A woman has admitted concealing the birth of her stillborn daughter whose body was found by a Warwickshire river.

Rachael Davies, 26, of Wharrage Road, Alcester, was arrested after police used DNA testing to link her to the child, nicknamed Lilly by officers.

Stratford-on-Avon magistrates heard Lily was found near the River Alne last May. She had suffered a fractured skull and collarbone.

Davies will be sentenced at Warwick Crown Court at a later date.

The court heard Davies kept the baby's body in her car overnight before dumping it, sometime between January and May last year.

Blamed steroids

The baby's injuries initially prompted police to launch a murder inquiry, but this was later discontinued.

David Everett, prosecuting, said the infant was found in a bag by a 13-year-old boy who was walking near a weir at Aston Cantlow.

Artist's impression of baby Lily

Davies was questioned by police last November and asked to supply a DNA sample.

She said she knew nothing about the baby, apart from what she had seen on the news.

But DNA tests linked the baby to Davies, who later admitted that pyjamas and a towel found inside the bag belonged to her.

"She said it showed no signs of life when it had been born," Mr Everett told magistrates.

The court also heard Davies claimed she did not realise she was pregnant until she went into labour. She blamed her weight gain on steroids contained in her inhaler.

Colin Charvill, defending, said his client had pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, adding: "She thinks about this matter every day.

"It's not something that goes away - it troubles her... she can't sleep at night and she finds it difficult to go out by herself."

Davies faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison when she is sentenced on 27 April.



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
River baby death accused in court (16 Mar 07 |  Coventry/Warwickshire )
Woman arrested over baby's death (13 Dec 06 |  Coventry/Warwickshire )
'Dignity and respect' for Lilly (25 Sep 06 |  Coventry/Warwickshire )
Funeral of child found in river (25 Sep 06 |  Coventry/Warwickshire )
Baby by river 'had head injuries' (23 May 06 |  Coventry/Warwickshire )
Baby's death treated as unlawful (22 May 06 |  Coventry/Warwickshire )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Warwickshire Police
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©