THE coroner dealing with the inquest into a Blackburn baby's death at Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool, today defended his decision to adjourn the hearing for a fourth time.

Liverpool coroner Andre Rebello yesterday held and adjourned a further hearing into the death of Jake McGeough until April.

The 18-month-old died child at the children's hospital in July last year after being transferred from Blackburn's Queen's Park Hospital, where parents Wayne Knight and Keira McGeough, of Leicester Road, Blackburn, took him thinking he had a chest infection.

A major investigation involving Merseyside Police and hospital bosses was launched following the child's death and in November last year the hospital admitted negligence.

It was also revealed two nurses could face criminal charges. The Crown Prosecution Service is deciding whether there is enough evidence to secure a conviction.

Mr Rebello today said the inquest must not get in the way of those investigations.

He said: "Until we know whether someone is going to be charged it would be inappropriate to hold inquest which may prevent justice being done."

The CPS has passed on its file to its senior office in York where an outcome on whether charges are to be brought against the nurses, will be decided. A spokesman said it could take up to four weeks.