Sally and Steve arrested

Mindful of a possible genetic problem Sally and Steve asked for specialist pathological examination - as did the hospital paediatrician. Unfortunately this was ignored and the post-mortem was performed by the local Home Office pathologist, Dr Williams.

After four weeks' delay, during which Sally and Steve had made several enquiries as to progress of the autopsy, both were arrested. Dr Williams reported retina and brain damage attributed to "baby shaking". The case was later referred to Professors Green and Meadow, a team well known in the profession and media for their campaign that up to 40% of cot deaths are in fact abuse, who thought it "likely" but were cautious enough to then recommend the cause of death as "unascertained."

This prompted a review of Christopher's death, following which the original certificate of natural causes was replaced by smothering. Consequently in July 1998 Sally was charged with the murder of both babies - a prejudicial move when neither case stood up alone.

Over the next 14 months the Prosecution culled support from Drs Smith and Keeling and the Defence assembled eight eminent paediatricians and pathologists, each expert in a particular specialisation.