Pensioner accused of toddler murder granted bail
70 year old David Dearlove who is charged with murdering a toddler almost 50 years ago has ``exceptionally'' been granted bail.
A pensioner charged with murdering his ex-partner's toddler son almost 50 years ago has exceptionally'' been granted bail.
David Dearlove, 70, is accused of murdering 19-month-old Paul Booth, from Haverton Hill in Stockton, who died in hospital in October 1968.
He also faces a charge of child cruelty.
The defendant did not enter pleas during the brief hearing at Teesside Crown Court via video-link from Holme House Prison on Wednesday, but at a hearing before magistrates two days earlier his solicitor said he would deny the offences.
On that occasion he was remanded in custody but Judge Simon Bourne-Arton has now granted him bail. Nick Dry, prosecuting, told the Crown Court that Dearlove was the then partner of Paul's mother, who died in the 1990s.
Paul Cleasby, applying for bail, said Dearlove has lived in Great Yarmouth with his wife of 36 years and has no previous convictions.
Investigations have been going on for 18 months and Dearlove surrendered himself to police when required, Mr Cleasby said.
Judge Bourne-Arton told Dearlove:
Exceptionally in a case of this kind I am going to grant you bail.''
The defendant must surrender his passport, not interfere with witnesses and live in Great Yarmouth.
A hearing will take place on March 10, when a trial date could be set.