Mother who had postnatal depression admits killing baby daughter

Natasha Sultan admitted a charge of infanticide at Hull Crown Court

A mother has admitted killing her baby daughter while suffering from postnatal depression.

Natasha Sultan's five-week old daughter, Amelia-Lilly, died in hospital from head injuries inflicted at home in October last year.

Sultan admitted a charge of infanticide when she appeared before a judge today, officials at Hull Crown Court have confirmed.

The court heard how Sultan, of Welton Grove in Hull, eventually admitted causing the injury on her daughter.

The defendant was due to go on trial for murder today but the prosecution accepted her guilty plea to the infanticide charge.

Judge Richardson said he accepted the balance of her mind had been disturbed at the time.

Detective Chief Inspector Alistair McFarlane, of Humberside Police, said: "Amelia-Lilly died as the result of head injuries, inflicted by her mother in the early hours of October 8 last year.

"Police officers have been in regular contact with Amelia-Lilly's father and his family.

"This is a tragic event, which has been difficult for the family to come to terms with and our sympathies go out to them.

"The police investigation has taken a considerable time to prepare, due to the number of experts who have been consulted. It has been a very distressing case to investigate."

Sultan will be sentenced tomorrow by Judge Jeremy Richardson QC.