Boy, 12, on murder charge is remanded

A boy of 12, charged with murdering his six-month-old brother, was yesterday remanded to local authority secure accommodation .

A boy of 12, charged with murdering his six-month-old brother, was yesterday remanded to local authority secure accommodation .

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sat beside a social worker during a 20-minute hearing at Bristol's Youth Court. He whispered "yes" four times to confirm his name, date of birth, address and that he understood the charge. He then sat quietly with his elbows on the table and listened intently to the hearing.

The boy, dressed in a black sweatshirt, green tracksuit bottoms and black trainers with white socks, sat at a table ten feet in front of the three magistrates. His solicitor, Mr David Campbell, sat next to the social worker. None of the boy's family attended.

The baby was found on Wednesday afternoon in the bedroom of a housing association house on the city's run-down Hartcliffe estate. The child had suffered multiple stab wounds and was taken to the Bristol Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The 12-year-old was arrested the same day.

Magistrates agreed to to a request by James King, for the prosecution, to remand the boy. He stood as the chairman of the bench, Mrs Sue Owen, told him he would be brought back before the court on 28 January.