A YOUNG couple who bore the brunt of gossip after the sudden death of their baby were told by a coroner that the public can be "cruel and quick to judge."

East Lancashire coroner Andre Rebello said he had heard rumours about neglect which spread through Darwen after the death of five week-old Marc James John Robinson on July 12.

He added: "It is perhaps better for people to wait and see the results of an inquiry before coming to any conclusion and spreading gossip and rumour."

The inquest was told that the child's parents Tracey Marie Chadwick and March John Robinson had been living in "unsatisfactory conditions" at their second floor flat in Perry Street when the baby died. Miss Chadwick was only 15 when she became pregnant with Marc, who was born on June 8, four weeks premature. On the morning he died, the baby had been restless after an early morning feed.

"We slept in the living room because it was too cold in the bedroom. When he wouldn't settle in his cot after a feed, I took him on the settee to comfort him. He fell asleep as I had my arms around him."

Later that morning Miss Chadwick woke up to find blood on the child's face.

Detective Sergeant Robert Campbell who attended the scene said: "At first appearance the flat did not seem a suitable place for a child of that age to be brought up. But in my opinion the child was well looked after. His mother has maintained detailed schedules for all his needs."

Dr Melanie Newbould, consultant paediatric pathologist, who carried out a post-mortem examination said Marc was a normal baby both internally and externally and was clean and well looked after.

"Some blood-stained discharge from the mouth and nose is not unusual after death. He was a fundamentally health baby who died a sudden and unexpected death." Marc's grandmother Sandra Chadwick said the couple were supposed to be in their present home in Ash Grove, Darwen, when Marc was born. But because he was early it was not ready for them.

"I knew the doctor had warned her about smoking in the same room as the child but she had cut down a lot after becoming pregnant.

"Marc was perfect and Tracey looked after him well."

Recording a verdict of death by natural causes as a result of sudden infant death syndrome, Mr Rebello said: "It is clear that Marc was well looked after and that Tracey was doing an excellent job as a mother in exceptionally difficult circumstances."

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