Dad accused of trying to kill infant son with drugs (Darlington, England, United Kingdom)

Dad GRAHAM PARKIN has been charged with trying to murder his infant son by poisoning him with codeine.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4663042.Accused_of_trying_to_kill_his_baby/

Accused of trying to kill his baby
8:31am Saturday 3rd October 2009

A FATHER has been charged with trying to murder his baby son by poisoning him with drugs when he was only weeks old.

Graham Parkin, from Darlington, faces a number of assault and cruelty charges dating from late last year.

Thirty-year-old Mr Parkin appeared at Teesside Crown Court yesterday and denied five allegations concerning his son, Charlie.

He is expected to stand trial in mid-February, once further investigations have been carried out by the police and his defence team.

Mr Parkin is charged with two counts of administering a poison or noxious substance so as to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm.

It is said that between September 20 and October 1, he gave the baby codeine, an opium-based painkiller used by adults for mild to moderate pain. The prosecution also alleges that between November 5 and November 13, Mr Parkin gave his son tramadol, a narcotic-like pain reliever for moderate to severe pain.

He is also charged with attempting to murder Charlie between November 5 and November 12, and with inflicting grievous bodily harm and with intent to cause grievous bodily harm between the same dates.

A fifth charge of cruelty to a person under the age of 16 between September 24 and November 12, was also put to Mr Parkin yesterday.

The particulars of the charge are that he wilfully assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned or exposed the child in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to health.

Mr Parkin, formerly of Westminster Road, Darlington, who now lives at an address in Moorhead Court, Newcastle, spoke only to confirm his name and enter a “not guilty” plea when the five charges were put to him.

The boy, who was in and out of hospital during the first three months of his life, is now one.

Mr Parkin’s trial, which will last between two and three weeks, is scheduled to take place from February 15.

After his five-minute appearance in court yesterday, Mr Parkin was given bail until his return by the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox.

Mr Parkin is a former treasurer of a children’s jazz group in Darlington and has also worked as a security officer for the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Union team.