PARENTS charged in connection with the death of their son have appeared at court via a video link.

Shakeel Hussain, aged 25, of Balcary Grove, Heaton , has been charged with the murder of his son, sixweek old Mohammed Ismail, who died in hospital on January 5.

He was remanded to Forest Bank prison, Agecroft, and appeared at Manchester Crown Court by video link last Friday.

The Bolton News has been unable to report on the proceedings until now for legal reasons, but restrictions were relaxed yesterday following a legal challenge by the newspaper..

Hussain and the child’s mother, Rabeel Malik, aged 22, are both charged with “failing to take steps to protect the child from harm when there was a significant risk of physical harm being caused by an unlawful incident by a member of the household”.

Malik, who wore a pink headscarf, appeared via video link from HMP Styal, but was later released on bail.

Judge Andrew Gilbart QC, the Honorary Recorder of Manchester, made an order preventing the press from reporting her bail conditions or bail address.

During the preliminary hearing, both defendants spoke only to confirm their names, and neither showed any emotion throughout.

Malik was aided by an Urdu-speaking interpreter who appeared in court.

A plea and case management hearing will be held on September 26, and a provisional trial date has been set for January 7.

Judge Gilbart told them: “Your trial is fixed for January 7 next year. The next hearing of this case will be September 26.

“Hussain you are remanded in custody.

Malik you are granted bail on terms which will be provided to you.

“If you do not attend court on September 26 you will commit a criminal offence for which you can be imprisoned.”