A Morecambe man denied murdering his 14-month-old stepdaughter when he appeared before Preston Crown Court.

Christopher Hackett, 27, of Fulwood Drive, Bare, pleaded not guilty to murdering Hannah McKie on August 21 this year. Hackett, and the baby's mother, Zoe McKie, 18, of Proctor House Lane, Dolphinholme, near Lancaster, also pleased not guilty to three charges of child cruelty towards Hannah between January 1 and August 28.

The couple will go on trial on April 21 next year and the case is expected to last two weeks. Hackett was remanded in custody and McKie was granted bail by Mr Justice Wignall on condition she lives at her mother's home and observes a curfew between 9pm and 7am.

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