Joanne Sharkey, from Croxteth, Liverpool, has admitted killing her newborn baby boy more than 25 years ago with the body of the infant discovered in woodland close to Gulliver’s World in Warrington
A mum has admitted killing her newborn baby boy more than 25 years ago.
The body of the infant, who came to be known as Baby Callum, was discovered in woodland close to Gulliver’s World in Warrington on March 14 1998.
Joanne Sharkey, of Denham Close in Croxteth, was subsequently charged with murdering the youngster, who was believed to be a matter of hours old at the time of his death, and concealing the birth of a child more than 25 years later in April 2023.
The 56-year-old had been scheduled to face a trial at Liverpool Crown Court beginning this morning. But she instead pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility, as well as concealing the birth of a child. Jonas Hankin KC, prosecuting, indicated that these pleas would be acceptable to the crown, with the murder charge no longer to be pursued.
He added: “The prosecution is in receipt of psychological and psychiatric expert opinion. The psychiatric evidence reaches a consensus view that all the elements of diminished responsibility are supported. In plain terms this killing is impossible to understand, absent of a moderate to severe mental illness which substantially impaired Joanne Sharkey ability to form rational judgement and exercise self control.”
Sharkey will now be sentenced back before the same court on March 21. High Court judge Mrs Justice Eady released her on conditional bail until this date, at which the defendant left the dock clutching a tissue.
Baby Callum was named after the Callands area of the Cheshire town where he was found weighing 7lb 8oz and wrapped in a black plastic bag by a dog walker near to the theme park. His death sparked an investigation which saw the DNA of nearly 500 women tested, including a number of schoolgirls.
Thousands more were interviewed as part of the probe. A funeral service was arranged by residents and attended by around 150 people, including the Mayor of Warrington.
Callum was buried in Warrington Cemetery, being laid to rest in a white coffin surrounded by flowers and children’s toys following a ceremony at St Elphin’s Church. His headstone, which was paid for with money raised by members of the public, was inscribed: “Baby Callum, precious child of God. Laid to rest July 27, 1998. With love, from the people of Warrington.”
In July 2023, Cheshire Police arrested a man and a woman in connection with Baby Callum’s death. Both were subsequently released on bail. However, Sharkey was rearrested in April on suspicion of murder. The man was meanwhile released without charge.
