Baby Murderer Jailed for At Least 18 Years
A woman who brutally murdered a baby boy she was hoping to adopt has been locked up for life with a minimum term of 18 years.
Shaken to Death
Laura Castle, 38, shook 13-month-old Leiland-James Corkill at their home in Barrow, Cumbria, in January 2021. The toddler, taken into care at birth, had moved in with the Castles just months earlier.
Castle initially claimed Leiland-James fell from the sofa, triggering a frantic 999 call at around 8:15am on 6 January. The baby was unconscious and struggling to breathe but tragically died the next day in hospital.
Selfish Desire Turned Deadly
At Preston Crown Court, Castle was found guilty of murder and child cruelty, despite her earlier manslaughter plea. Her husband Scott Castle was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Mr Justice Jeremy Baker described Laura Castle’s “selfish desire” to keep Leiland-James despite struggling to bond as a “tragedy” that neither of them ended the adoption.
During the trial, it emerged Castle sent abusive texts about the baby to her husband, calling him vulgar names and admitting to physically punishing him.
Cold and Manipulative
Det Supt Pattinson, who led the investigation, branded Castle a “horrible human being” and a “manipulative liar”.
He said it was clear to medical staff that Leiland-James’s injuries didn’t match a simple fall, and that Laura Castle “never actually told anyone the truth.”
Justice has been served for little Leiland-James, whose life was cut tragically short by the woman meant to love him.
