Officer describes finding mummified body of young boy

A UK police officer who found the mummified body of a four-year-old boy as he searched a house has told a jury today that he was so shocked that he could not stop his hand shaking.

Acting Sergeant Richard Dove said he was one of a number of officers who went into the home of the victims' mother Amanda Hutton, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in September 2011.

He told Bradford Crown Court how the body of Hamzah Khan was found in a travel cot in Hutton’s bedroom.

He said he found the body after removing layers of bedding, clothing and shoes.

“I believe I can deal with any situation,” he told the court.

“But my right hand started shaking. I had to grab my hand to calm myself down. So I went downstairs.”

The jury has heard that Hamzah had been dead in the cot for almost two years when his remains were found by Acting Sgt Dove.

The officer told the court he made the discovery after going back into the bedroom for a second time.

He said: “I felt as though there was something wrong.”

Hutton (aged 43) denies manslaughter.

Prosecutors have told the jury that Hamzah died because he was starved by his mother.

Hutton told police the little boy died of a natural illness.