Baby killing

A MAN appeared in court accused of murdering a four-month-old baby.

Andrew Rawlings, aged 25, from Speedwell, Bristol, appeared at Bristol Crown Court yesterday for a preliminary hearing.

Rawlings is accused of killing the child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, last month.

North Avon Magistrates’ Court previously heard the child was taken to hospital on July 28, but died on July 31.

Judge Neil Ford fixed a plea and case management hearing for January 8.

Rawlings’ defence made an application for an order preventing naming of the defendant, which Judge Ford accepted.

But following representations from the press, the case was relisted yesterday afternoon before Judge Tom Crowther, who lifted the order.