Nursery worker admits manslaughter after death of 14-month-old baby
Noah Sibanda died after an incident at Dudley's Fairytales Day Nursery on December 9, 2022.
A nursery worker has admitted to manslaughter following the death of a 14-month-old baby.
Kimberley Cookson admitted one count of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the death of Noah Sibanda.
The tot died after an incident at Dudley's Fairytales Day Nursery on December 9, 2022, The Mirror reports.
Cookson, 22, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court, alongside business owner Deborah Latewood, 54, on Tuesday.
Latewood pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure that Noah and others were not exposed to risk between November 29 and December 9, 2022.
A plea of not guilty was also entered on behalf of the firm which ran the now-closed nursery, to one count of corporate manslaughter, including an alleged failure to ensure that children in the baby room were put down to sleep in a safe way, failure to ensure that staff were adequately trained to put babies down to sleep and failure to ensure staff were adequately supervised while doing so.
The firm also pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure that Noah and others were not exposed to risk between November 29 and December 9 2022.
Cookson and Latewood spoke only to confirm their date of birth and to enter their pleas in front of the courtroom, which was packed with members of Noah's family and supporters of the defendants.
Judge Michael Chambers KC said Latewood and the company would face a trial, likely to be in 2026, but did not set a date.
Cookson will be sentenced upon conclusion of the trial, which is expected to last three weeks and both Cookson and Latewood were released on unconditional bail until the next hearing.
Judge Chambers said: 'In your case, Kimberley Cookson, you have had the courage to plead guilty and will get the appropriate credit for that plea.
"I am adjourning your sentencing until the conclusion of the trial, so the judge will have all the facts of the case.'
He warned both defendants that if they did not appear for their trial, they could face further criminal proceedings.
A pre-trial review hearing was set for December 5.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Daily Record
First picture of Austrian school shooter who killed 10 in horrific massacre
The killer pleaded with his mum for forgiveness before the tragedy. This is the gunman who murdered 10 people in cold blood in the worst school shooting Austria has ever seen - after begging for his mum's forgiveness. A photograph of 21-year-old Arthur A holding a cat is the first image of him to be released following the tragedy. The Mirror reports he pleaded with his mum before committing the atrocity. He reportedly begged for his mother's forgiveness in a farewell video message before storming the school wielding a rifle and pistol and murdering 10 people. His victims included classmates and a teacher. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. In a cubicle of the school toilets he used one of the firearms to take his own life, bringing an end to the carnage. The "bullied" drop out sent the video to his mum just moments before he opened fire. He begged for her to forgive him for "what I'm about to do". Had his mother opened the message when she received it, she may have been able to alert police in time. However, she watched it 24 minutes after receiving it. By that time, Arthur had already left a trail of bodies after shooting nine children aged between 15 and 17, and an adult female teacher, who was 47 years old. He left another 11 people with serious injuries, though authorities have confirmed they are now in stable condition in hospital. People who knew Arthur said it was likely an act of vengeance. The 21-year-old had failed to pass sixth form exams and dropped out of school. His suicide note, which was found at his home in the same city, described him having been "bullied".
Edinburgh Live
12 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Madeleine McCann police in 'major breakthrough' with Christian Brueckner probe
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An expert has suggested that new evidence may "significantly strengthen" the case against Christian Brueckner, the suspect in the Madeleine McCann disappearance. A grim new documentary about Madeleine McCann has unveiled distressing discoveries at Christian Brueckner's abode, which include images of children in swimming attire, toddler toys, and appalling stories of child snatching. During the investigation, an 80gb hard drive was unearthed, containing photos and a computer key, possibly providing the impetus for detectives to associate the suspect with Madeleine's vanishing. The contents of the hard drive also positioned Brueckner at the epicentre of the search zone around Arades Dam in Portugal. It was disclosed in the documentary that Brueckner expressed desires to "capture something small and use it for days". Robert Green, a Professor of Forensic Science at the University of Kent, opines that finding "mask, guns, and hard drive" may necessitate a more intensive inquiry into Brueckner's history. Speaking to The Mirror, he remarked: "The discovery of items such as a mask, guns, and particularly the hard drive, indicates a potential link to further criminal activity, which may warrant a more thorough investigation of the suspect's past," reports the Mirror. It's thought the fresh search is linked to the continued quest for answers in the Madeleine McCann case, with the hope that new evidence might crack it. Investigators constantly review existing evidence and chase leads they think might pay off, especially in cases that have gone unsolved for years. A newly unearthed letter from prime suspect Brueckner is said to mock German police's efforts to tie him to Madeleine McCann's disappearance. In the handwritten note, seen by German newspaper Bild, he allegedly writes: "Are there any traces of her in my vehicle? Any other traces of her in my possession? Photos? Is there a body? No, no, no." A document also places the suspect at the location of a search for Madeleine McCann, where he reportedly said "she did not scream" while discussing the British toddler with an associate. He also shares a chilling kidnapping story, including: "A very small girl enters the room. She's definitely not older than five." The latest search for clues related to Madeleine McCann's disappearance lasted three days in Praia da Luz last week, near where Brueckner is known to have camped. Brueckner spent time in the Praia de Luz area of Portugal between 2000 and 2017, with his home just a mile from the Ocean Club, where the McCann family stayed when Madeleine vanished on May 3, 2007. Years on, investigators reportedly discovered that his mobile phone had received a call near the holiday flat complex approximately an hour before the three year old was reported missing.
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Madeleine McCann cop's major breakthrough in Christian Brueckner probe
Professor of Forensic Science at the University of Kent, Robert Green, believes the discovery of a "musk, guns, and hard drive" may warrant a more "thorough investigation" into Christian Brueckner's past Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann could "significantly strengthen" their case against suspect Christian Brueckner following new evidence, according to an expert. According to a harrowing new Madeleine McCann documentary, horrific evidence found at Christian Breuckner's property included images of children in swimming costumes, toddler toys, and sickening child kidnapping stories. An 80gb hard drive was found consisting of images and a laptop key, which may have prompted investigators to link the suspect to Madeleine's disappearance. The hard drive also placed Brueckner at the heart of the search location in Arades Dam, in Portugal. The documentary revealed that Brueckner also wanted to "capture something small and use it for days". Professor of Forensic Science at the University of Kent, Robert Green, believes discovering "musk, guns, and hard drive" may warrant a more "thorough investigation" into Brueckner's past. He told The Mirror: "The discovery of items such as a musk, guns, and particularly the hard drive, indicates a potential link to further criminal activity, which may warrant a more thorough investigation of the suspect's past. "The rationale behind the renewed search could stem from the ongoing pursuit of justice in the Madeleine McCann case and the hope that any additional evidence could lead to a breakthrough. Investigators continually assess existing evidence and pursue lines of inquiry they believe could be fruitful, especially in cases that have remained unresolved for many years." Furthermore, a newly uncovered letter from lead suspect Brueckner is said to mock German police's attempts to link him to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. In the handwritten note, seen by German newspaper Bild, he reportedly writes: 'Are there any traces of her in my vehicle? Any other traces of her in my possession? Photos? Is there a body? No, no, no.' A document also put the suspect at the location of a search for Madeleine McCann, where he allegedly said "she did not scream" as he discussed the British toddler with an associate. He also reveals a harrowing kidnapping story, including: "A very small girl enters the room. She's definitely not older than five." The most recent search for any clues related to the search for Madeleine McCann lasted three days in Praia da Luz, last week. It happened close to where Brueckner is known to have had camped. Brueckner spent time in the Praia de Luz area of Portugal between 2000 and 2017. His home was just one mile away from the Ocean Club, where the McCann family were staying when Madeleine vanished on May 3, 2007. Years later, investigators reportedly found his mobile phone had received a call close to the holiday flat complex around one hour before the three-year-old was reported missing.
