10 May 2023 , 06:45
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A mother has admitted killing her newborn baby after a body was found in a garden.
Sarah Jayne Barron, 34, entered a guilty plea to one charge of infanticide during a brief hearing at Bristol Crown Court.
Barron had previously denied a charge of murder, but admitted the new plea when she was re-arraigned.
Her case will not go to trial, and has been adjourned until a psychiatric report is prepared.
A police investigation began after a newborn’s body was discovered in a private garden in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, on December 12 2020.
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The court was told the offence was committed on December 4 the same year when Barron "caused the death of your child under 12 months by wilful act by throwing them over the balcony of your flat".
Barron had previously denied a charge of murder after a body was found on December 12 2020 (Tom Wren / SWNS)It was noted that at the time she had "not fully recovered from the effects of giving birth".
Infanticide is defined in law as the deliberate killing of a baby under one years old by their own mother.
Anna Vigars KC, prosecuting, told the court the plea was acceptable to the Crown and a trial will not be necessary.
Charles Row KC, defending Barron, asked for the case to be adjourned for the preparation of psychiatric reports.
Barron, whose current address was withheld by the court, was released on conditional bail until sentencing on July 14.
Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, told her: "The prosecution has indicated today your guilty plea to the alternative charge of infanticide is acceptable and therefore the trial listed for July 17 is to be vacated, as is the further case management hearing on June 15.
The court heard Barron had 'not fully recovered from the effects of giving birth' (Tom Wren / SWNS)"The sentencing exercise will now be undertaken on July 14 and until then you will be on bail with conditions.
"The fact you have pleaded guilty will enable the judge to give you credit for your guilty plea and it will be for the judge to decide how much you will be given."
He added that he expected "considerable credit will be afforded" for her guilty plea.
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