A BABY police believe was murdered by his parents died after suffering a “significant fracture to the skull”, a court was told.

Daniel Gunter, 25, and 20-year-old Sophie Staddon, both of no fixed address, are accused of killing baby Brendon Staddon at the neo-natal unit of Yeovil District Hospital on March 5.

Both defendants, of no fixed address, have also been charged with causing or allowing the baby’s death.

However, they were excused attendance from a short hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

Robert Yates, prosecuting, told the court Brendon had been born premature two weeks previously and was progressing well.

A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out later, he added

Rupert Morgan-Jones, representing Staddon, and Lucy Taylor, representing Gunter, did not apply for bail.

The pair were remanded in custody ahead of a pre-trial and preparation hearing on April 5.