Murder case against mother dropped

A judge yesterday ordered two charges against a mother accused of harming two of her children who died to be dropped.

After hearing submissions from the defence, Mr Justice Garland said the charge against Celia Beckett, 34, of murdering Tracey Butler, four, and of causing grievous bodily harm to five-month-old Clare should be dropped. Mrs Beckett, of New-ark, Nottinghamshire, is still charged with manslaughter of Tracey, who was allegedly given 23 anti-depressant tablets, and with child cruelty and administering a noxious substance to a third daughter, Debbie, seven. The case continues today.