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Mother admits killing daughter - but denies murder

Brian Farmer
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Tony Fisher/BBC A white and greed sign fixed to the ground by two black posts. The words "JUNIPER SQUARE" and "BOROUGH OF DACORUM" are written in green on the sign. Behind the sign is a block of flats made of light-brown brick. Some of the flats have balconies protected by yellow, blue and red fences. Several cars on parked on a road running alongside the block. A white triangular road sign edged in red and marked with a black outline of a man diggings sits in shrubbery in front of the line of cars.Tony Fisher/BBC
Shilyrand Charigwati lived in Juniper Square, Hemel Hempstead

A 30-year-old woman has admitted killing her daughter - but denied murder, jurors have been told.

Shilyrand Charigwati, of Juniper Square, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, said she was suffering from a mental illness when she killed her child Roselyn in April 2024.

Police arrested Miss Charigwati after a two-year-old child, found injured at an address in Juniper Square, died 11 months ago.

A judge gave jurors an outline of the case at the start of a trial in Luton Crown Court on Monday.

Hertfordshire Police had said, in April 2024, that the child was taken to hospital but died shortly afterwards.

Mrs Justice Heather Williams told jurors on Monday that the case was "on any view very distressing", but said they must try Miss Charigwati "fairly".

"She admits killing Roselyn but denies that it was murder," the judge told jurors.

"She says that her actions were the result of a mental illness she was suffering from at the time, which reduces her lawful responsibility."

Tony Fisher/BBC Juniper Square: Vehicles outside a block of flats. The flats on the right-side of the image are made of light brown bricks and have balconies protected by yellow, red and blue fences. Several cars are parked facing the flats in parking bays. On the left a white police van, marked with a blue and yellow stripe, and two yellow, blue and white police car are park on the side of a block-paved road,Tony Fisher/BBC
Shilyrand Charigwati has admitted killing her daughter but denies murder

The judge told jurors that psychiatrists, called by prosecution and defence lawyers, would give evidence about Miss Charigwati's " state of mind" when she killed her daughter.

Mrs Justice Williams told jurors that the trial was expected to last about four weeks.

She said she would discuss a number of legal issues with lawyers before witnesses were called.

Barrister John Price KC, who is leading the prosecution team, was due to begin outlining evidence on Tuesday, jurors were told.

Brian Farmer/BBC Luton Crown Court: a building made of light-brown bricks with green window frames. The words "CROWN COURT" and a crest can be seen above the entrance.Brian Farmer/BBC
Shilyrand Charigwati has gone on trial at Luton Crown Court

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