The 12-year-old boy who was yesterday remanded in Bristol to local authority secure accommodation charged with murdering his six-month-old brother, was born in Derry, Eamon Timmins reports.
The boy, who cannot be named, sat beside a social worker during a 20-minute hearing at Bristol's Youth Court.
He whispered "yes" four times to confirm his name, date of birth, address and that he understood the charge.
The boy, dressed in a black sweatshirt, green tracksuit bottoms and black trainers with white socks, sat at a table 10 feet in front of the three magistrates.
His solicitor, Mr David Campbell, sat next to the social worker to the boy's left. None of his family attended.
The boy's grandmother was travelling from Donegal last night to be with the family. The boy's father is from Bristol, but was not living with the family. The family of five moved to a house in Bishport Avenue, Bristol, about four months ago. His mother was born in Derry.
The boy's baby brother was found on Wednesday afternoon in the bedroom of a house on the city's run-down Hartcliffe estate.
The baby had suffered multiple stab wounds in the attack, according to Avon ambulance service, and was treated at the scene in Bishport Avenue. Attempts to revive the baby by police called to the scene failed. He was taken to Bristol Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police confirmed detectives investigating the incident had recovered a weapon. The 12-year-old was arrested the same day.
Magistrates agreed to a request by the prosecutor, Mr James King, to remand the boy in secure local authority accommodation after deliberating for 10 minutes.
The boy stood as the chairman of the bench, Mrs Sue Owen, told him he would be remanded for one week to be brought back before the court on January 28th.
The hearing was delayed by almost half an hour as court officials brought in extra seats to accommodate the large number of reporters who sat just a few feet from the 12-year-old during the hearing.
There was no dock in the specialist youth court. Instead, the 12-year-old sat at a single table in the court with his social worker, magistrates and the lawyers.
At the end of the hearing he left quietly through a side door accompanied by the social worker.
The case has stunned residents on the Hartcliffe estate. Neighbours said they were shocked by the incident at the four-bedroom housing association house.
One, who asked not to be named, said: "You just don't expect this to happen on your doorstep. It brings it all home to you."
Another added: "I have two children of my own and it has really shocked us and sent shock waves through the community."
Last night, the Rev Judith Carpenter said a book of condolences for the baby would be opened at Withywood church from tomorrow for people to sign.
She said: "The book will be available for people to write messages in from Sunday but we will be putting aside a special time on Tuesday afternoon, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., for people to write what they want in support of the family.
"The family is Catholic and we are an Anglican/Methodist church but all the churches here are working together at this time," she said.