Mother accused of baby's murder back in hospital

A 20-year-old British mother accused of strangling her newborn son in Crete was readmitted to hospital today after being told she would be remanded in custody.

Leah Andrew, from Hither Green, south east London, has been charged with murder after allegedly killing her baby moments after giving birth in a hotel room on the island.

In Heraklion, Crete's capital, she was ordered by a magistrate to serve pre-trial detention in prison after receiving medical treatment.

After a six-hour session before magistrates, the young mother fainted and was taken away for medical treatment ahead of a move to prison.

Police found the dead baby, weighing 5lb 8oz, in a room in the Natali hotel, Malia, in the early hours of Monday morning.

A coroner said the baby, which was discovered wrapped in sheets, showed signs of suffocation.

Andrew was taken by police from Iraklion University Hospital to give evidence at today's hearing.

She was being kept under police guard at the hospital, where she was taken after suffering extensive bleeding.

Police denied she was put on suicide watch and said she was being guarded by two officers simply because she was under arrest.

On Sunday, Andrew was on a night out with her 24-year-old sister, Lydia, and a friend.

It is understood she had not told them she was pregnant, despite being just two weeks short of her due date.

She returned to the hotel at around 3.30am, where she gave birth alone.

Police said that when the sister and friend arrived at the room they saw a sheet with something inside.

They did not open it but called the police.

It is believed Andrew has two sons, aged three and 15 months, who are being looked after by her parents.

A Lewisham Council spokeswoman said: "This is a very tragic situation and our thoughts are with the family.

"We will be supporting the family and working with them to ensure the safety and well-being of Miss Andrew's two other children."

In Greece, infanticide does not carry a life sentence, unlike murder which does.