Teenager in court accused of murdering four-month-old baby when he was just 16

26 September 2023 , 13:43

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Emergency services were called to the baby's home (Image: BPM Media)

A teenager charged with murdering a four-month-old baby when he was just 16 has appeared in court.

Supported by his mum in the public gallery, Carl Alesbrook spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth when he appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court this morning. He is accused of killing little Elijah Shemwell in early January, 2022, two weeks before the defendant turned 17.

Elijah’s mother India Shemwell, 22, Alesbrook's girlfriend at the time her son died, has been charged with two counts of child cruelty in relation to her son and will appear at the same court next month. District Judge Andrew Meachin sent Alesbrook’s case to Derby Crown Court and remanded him into custody. He will appear before Judge Shaun Smith KC on Thursday. Callum Morris, his solicitor, did not apply for bail on his client’s behalf.

A Derbyshire Police spokeswoman said: “Officers were called to an address in Acorn Drive, Belper, just before 10.50pm on Sunday January 2, 2022, following a report that a young baby was in cardiac arrest. Elijah, who was four months old, was taken to hospital by ambulance but died on Wednesday, January 5. Yesterday, September 25, the Crown Prosecution Service has agreed the following charges for both Carl Alesbrook and Elijah’s mother India Shemwell, who were in a relationship at the time of Elijah’s death.

“Carl Alesbrook, 18, of Upper Greenhill Gardens, Matlock, charged with the murder of Elijah Shemwell, a section 20 inflicting grievous bodily harm to Elijah Shemwell between November 18, 2021 and January 2, 2022, section 18 causing grievous bodily harm to Elijah Shemwell on January 1.

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"India Shemwell, 22, of Rose Hill Street, Derby, has been charged with cruelty to a person under 16 – between December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022 and cruelty to a person under 16 – on January 2, 2022. India Shemwell has been released on police bail.”

Shemwell is due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on October 26.

Kelly-Ann Mills