Dad accused of throwing teen daughter from cot as a baby denies murder

Maisie suffered severe brain damage and died aged 13, allegedly due to injuries inflicted more than a decade before.

A man stands accused of killing his teenage daughter by throwing her from her cot when she was a baby.

Dean Smith, 44, allegedly hurled four-week-old Maisie Newell eight feet across the room into a wall in August 2000.

She suffered severe brain damage and died aged 13 in June 2014, allegedly due to injuries inflicted more than a decade before.

Smith was charged with murder and an alternative count of manslaughter in February, following delays as the CPS decided whether Smith should be prosecuted.

An inquest into Maisie’s death is yet to be held.

Appearing at the Old Bailey today, Smith sobbed in the dock as he was arraigned on one count of murder and one count of manslaughter.

Jeremy Rosenberg, defending, said: ‘He lost his own child and it was not something he has lived with lightly.’

Mr Smith and Mr Rosenberg added that both sets of witnesses would need time to prepare reports and examine the claims made by the other side.

Judge Mark Lucraft, QC, agreed to set the trial back until the end of the year but was mindful of the effect the length of the proceedings was having on Maisie’s whole family.

He said: ‘They will all understand the stress and trouble caused, not only to this defendant but to everyone else in the family.’

The judge later addressed Smith and said: ‘I hope you have followed what I have said so far.

‘Your trial, if there is a trial, will take place on the 4 November this year.’

Smith will appear again at the Old Bailey for a further hearing on 29 July.

He will stand trial at the same court on 4 November.

Smith, of Kingsfield Road, Watford, Herts, is charged with murder and a lesser alternative charge of manslaughter.