A Bolton man is due to go on trial next year accused of murdering a baby in 2019.

Emergency services were called to Crompton Street in Farnworth in November that year after reports a 10-month-old infant was unresponsive.

The baby was taken to hospital but died as a result of her injuries.

GMP’s Major Incident Team carried out an investigation and Ali Zain was charged with murder earlier this year.

The 24-year-old appeared at Manchester Crown Court where he entered a not guilty plea to the allegation.

A trial was fixed for February next year.

The court heard Zain’s defence team are ordering expert reports including one from a paediatric consultant pathologist.

Judge Anthony Cross QC instructed the man from Crompton Street in Farnworth to prepare a defence statement setting out his response to the allegation of murder.

He said: “By November 15 you have to provide a document called a defence statement.

“That document has to have enough detail in it to allow everybody, prosecution, the judge, to understand what your case is.

“If that document is not detailed enough that may count against you.

“It is important that you understand it is your document.

“It is not your solicitor’s document or your barrister’s document, what goes in it comes from you.”

He warned it could go against him if he gives evidence and chooses to say something different to what is in the statement.