A MOTHER has denied murdering her baby girl.
Natasha Sultan, 21, appeared at Hull Crown Court accused of murdering five-week-old Amelia-Lilly Sultan-Curtis.
Miss Sultan was asked to stand as the charge of murder was put to her. She replied: "Not guilty".
It is alleged she murdered Amelia-Lilly between October 6 and October 9 last year.
Prosecutor Timothy Roberts said: "She stands before the court accused of the murder of her own daughter, Amelia- Lilly.
"The case has been some time in the preparation. A number of medical reports have now been served on the defence.
"The prosecution case is ready and the trial window has been identified in November of this year."
As previously reported, Amelia- Lilly died from head injuries at Hull Royal Infirmary on October 8.
Miss Sultan's legal team have been given two-and-a-half months to obtain medical evidence and serve it upon the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The Honorary Recorder of Hull and the East Riding, Judge Michael Mettyear, told Miss Sultan her case will be tried at Hull Crown Court by Mr Justice Keith.
Her barrister, Anil Murray, has successfully applied to have a QC representing her during her trial. She will be represented by Malcolm Swift QC at the next hearing.
Miss Sultan, of Welton Grove, north Hull, who appeared in court in a pink top with a matching scarf and black trousers, wearing ten gold bangles on her arm and large, round earrings, is now due to stand trial in November.
Judge Mettyear told her: "This case will be adjourned for trial before a jury on a date you have been given.
"You must be here then. If you fail to attend, it is an offence in itself and the case could be tried in your absence.
"You can have bail on the same terms as before."
Miss Sultan was arrested and released on bail last October.
After a police investigation lasting seven months, the CPS authorised police to charge her with murder earlier this year.
Miss Sultan has shared several photographs of her daughter on her public Facebook page, including a picture of her cradling Amelia-Lilly shortly after she was born.
Alongside one image, posted on December 14 last year, she wrote: "My sweet little angel, forever young baby girl, mummy and daddy love you more than words can describe. RIP darling, grandad will b looking after u now."
After the charge was announced, a spokesman for Humberside Police said: "The child died of head injuries in October last year.
"An investigation was launched straight away and enquiries have been taking place since this time.
"The mother was arrested and released on police bail while these inquiries were undertaken."
Amelia-Lilly's funeral was held on January 8, when she was buried at Northern Cemetery in Chanterlands Avenue, west Hull.
Miss Sultan's trial could last up to two weeks.
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