Mother of drug-shooting boy charged

The mother of Dillon Hull, the five-year-old boy shot dead in the street in an apparent drugs-related attack, has been charged with conspiracy to supply heroin.

Jane Hull, 29, of Jauncey Street, Bolton, was due to be committed to Preston Crown Court yesterday, but the magistrates adjourned the case until 9 September. Ms Hull is alleged to have attempted to smuggle the drug into Preston prison on October 29 last year. She did not appear in court when the case was listed yesterday.

Dillon was shot in the street last week together with his stepfather John Bates, who escaped with stomach wounds. Mr Bates and Ms Hull returned to their terraced house but are since believed to have been moved to a "safe house" under police protection after protests from neighbours.