Mother accused of murder in Modbury appears in court

A MOTHER charged with the murder of her two-year-old son has faced a judge for the first time.

Angela Vane, aged 40, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court for the first time accused of killing Shaun Ryleigh O'Neill.

She faced the court via a videolink from a room at Eastwood Park prison in Bristol.

Vane, of Champernowne in Modbury, spoke only to confirm her identity during a ten-minute hearing.

She has not yet entered a plea to the single charge that she murdered Shaun on January 19 this year.

High court judge The Honourable Mrs Justice Victoria Sharp set a timetable for the submission of trial documents.

Martin Meeke QC, barrister for the Crown Prosecution Service, also made submissions about when the child's body can be released to the family.

Vane was represented in court by barrister Tim Hills.

Wearing a simple grey shirt and sitting behind a desk, Vane was watched on screen from the back of court by members of her family.

Mrs Justice Sharp remanded Vane in custody to appear again at the court on May 8.

She is then expected to enter a plea.

Police said the toddler's body was found at the property in Champernowne in Modbury last month.

Shaun's body was taken to Derriford Hospital and a post-mortem examination was carried out.