A FATHER accused of murdering his baby son in west Cumbria has formally denied the allegation and two charges of child cruelty.

Reece Martin Kelly, 30, appeared before a High Court judge at Carlisle Crown Court today and entered not guilty pleas to the three allegations that he is facing. He is accused of murdering four-month-old Dallas Kelly.

Prosecutors allege this happened in Workington on October 19, 2021.

The two remaining charges allege he caused unnecessary suffering to two children, one being Dallas Kelly, between May 23, 2021, and October 15, 2021.

The charge says he “deliberately or recklessly ill-treated or neglected” Dallas Kelly, in a way likely to cause suffering or injury by failing to take him to medical appointments and failing to provide adequate parental supervision or medical care, and exposing the child to harmful substances.

After legal discussions, Mr Justice Christopher Butcher ruled that the case should come back to court on May 31 for a decision on a trial date, likely to be in late October. The trial is expected to last four weeks.

At an earlier hearing, Dallas Kelly’s mother Georgia Wright, 22, from Workington, denied three allegations. Those charges are causing or allowing the death of a child, Dallas Kelly, by failing to protect him from risk she ought to have foreseen; and two counts of cruelty to a person aged under 16, one being Dallas.

She was granted bail until the trial. Meanwhile, Reece Martin Kelly, of Hunday Court, Workington, was remanded in custody.