Manchester - A mother whose baby died after she left it in a sun-baked car for more than two hours in June last year told a court yesterday she had done it so the child would be safe.
Ms Marie Trueman (32) told a jury at Manchester Crown Court she had put 3 1/2-month-old Courtney in her car seat while she sunbathed so that her other children would not pick up the baby.
The judge directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty on a charge of manslaughter against Ms Trueman, of Sandringham Drive, Dukinfield, on legal grounds. Her trial continues on a charge of child cruelty.
She denies the charge.