[Marc]

The mummified corpse of a four-year-old boy was found in a cot in his mother's bedroom almost two years after he starved to death, a jury has been told.

Hamzah Khan's body was still dressed in a babygro when police made the "dreadful discovery" at his house in Bradford, West Yorkshire, a court has heard.

Details of how the child's body was found in September 2011 were outlined at the trial of his mother, Amanda Hutton, at Bradford Crown Court.

Opening the case for the prosecution, Paul Greaney QC told the jury that the body of Hamzah, who died on December 15 2009, was found after police entered Hutton's home because of concerns about a smell.

"What they discovered disturbed even hardened officers," Mr Greaney said.

"Within a cot in the bedroom of Amanda Hutton, a police officer named Richard Dove made a dreadful discovery.

"Within that cot, beneath other items, he found the mummified corpse of a child."

Hutton, 43, denies her son's manslaughter.

Hamzah's remains fitted into clothing intended for a baby aged six to nine months because the boy's growth had been stunted, Mr Greaney said.

"It had been stunted because he was malnourished over a lengthy period and that state of affairs resulted in his death," he said.

"In short, he starved to death. How had a child starved to death in 21st century England?"

The jury was told that Hutton, who the prosecutor said was an abuser of alcohol and cannabis, ordered pizza within hours of her son's death and continued to claim child benefit for him.

Mr Greaney said that in police interviews Hutton said she had gone to consult a pharmacist at a supermarket after her son had become particularly unwell on December 14, 2009.

"She explained that when she returned Hamzah was near to death. She sought to revive him but to no effect.

"She described placing Hamzah into his cot, making plain that she had treated his body with dignity, and it is right that we should observe that Hamzah's body was found, it was found with a teddy."

Hutton told police that things deteriorated after her son's death and she began to drink a bottle of vodka a day, Mr Greaney added.

"She made no call for assistance - for a doctor or an ambulance," he said.

The jury of four women and eight men were shown pictures of the inside of Hutton's home.

The lounge was filled with rubbish, including pizza boxes and empty bottles, which was so deep the carpet was not visible.

Mr Greaney pointed out to the jury how Hutton's bedroom was noticeably less cluttered and the blue travel cot where Hamzah's body was found was visible.

He told the jury that a police officer said to Hutton "you know what's been found, don't you Amanda?" as the defendant was being taken to the police station.

The prosecutor said she told the officer: "He died two years ago on the 15th December."

Hutton had worked as care assistant in the past and there was evidence that she had undergone some first-aid training, the prosecutor said.

The jury also heard that Hamzah's father, Aftab Khan, was separated from Hutton and lived elsewhere and there was evidence he had been violent towards the defendant.

Disgusting

[smudgie]

What a tragedy.

[Jake.]

That is just tragic.. that poor child

[Marc]

Starved to death and then denied a proper burial for two years.

I'd understand if he died of unforeseen circumstances and she was so bereaved she kept his body around for sentimental value but he starved to death... On her watch. Awful situation. If she's proven guilty then she deserves death herself

[Josy]

That is horrible

[Vanessa]

It sounds like the woman was struggling on her own after the husband left. Why didn't she ask for help?

[Marc]

Surely a mother will do anything to feed her child, starve herself if needed

[Vanessa]

Maybe she had mental health problems? This is so sad. The poor child.

[Marc]

She must have a screw loose

[Ammi]

..It's completely sickening how anyone can do that..but a mother...

[Vanessa]

I know. But i don't think she was in a normal state of mind. The house was filled with rubbish. She sounds really messed up.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Marc

Surely a mother will do anything to feed her child, starve herself if needed

She had enough money to order herself a Pizza that night he died apparently.... what a horrible case

[Kizzy]

Awful, watched a prog on BBC1 last night about how some families need support to function. It's a shame some seem to slip through the net, poor child...

[michael21]

Originally Posted by Marc

Disgusting

that really sad it you fine any more news story like this please don't post then as tibb should be a happy places

[Mrluvaluva]

It is a horrible and heartbreaking story, but she must have mental issues. A parent could not do this to their child in their right mind. It's such a shame it wasn't recognised as an issue before it was too late. Poor mite.

[anne666]

Heartbreaking and sadly the direct outcome of mental illness IMO

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

She had enough money to order herself a Pizza that night he died apparently.... what a horrible case

Yes,she liked Vodka too ,the boys father asked the police to check on him(apparently) which begs the question if he was concerned why didn't he take the child? so very sad and needless,poor little lad ,he even looks sad in his picture,bless him.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Kazanne

Yes,she liked Vodka too ,the boys father asked the police to check on him(apparently) which begs the question if he was concerned why didn't he take the child? so very sad and needless,poor little lad ,he even looks sad in his picture,bless him.

I know, breaks my heart reading these kind of stories about little kids