Couple accused of ‘baby on bus’ murder appear in court

A couple appeared in court today (Tues) accused of murdering their three-month-old daughter who was found unresponsive on a bus.

Rosalin Baker, 25, and Jeffrey Wiltshire, 52, are accused of killing the tot, who was found on a bus in Stratford, east London.

The baby girl was rushed to hospital at 10.20am on 26 September but was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post-mortem examination on Friday found she died from head injuries.

Baker appeared at the Old Bailey today in a grey sweatshirt, while Wiltshire appeared via video link from Pentonville Prison in a prison-issue tracksuit with his hair in bunches.

Both are charged with murder.

The pair are also charged with causing or allowing the death of or serious physical harm to a child and child neglect.

Baker was arrested at Newham General Hospital where the baby was pronounced dead, while Wiltshire was arrested later on Wednesday at the address they shared in east London.

Detectives from the homicide and major crime command are continuing to investigate the death.

Judge Nicholas Hilliard, the Recorder of London, listed their trial for 20 March next year.

Passengers told how they desperately battled to save the girl on the bus after seeing the lifeless tot in the pram.

Mostafa Rahman, 27, told the Evening Standard: ‘I came down from the top deck and as soon as I saw the baby I knew it was dead.

‘The bus stopped and I got a jacket from the top of the pram and put it on the ground and two ladies who were also on the bus put the baby on the jacket on the floor and were trying really hard to revive it.’

DCI Gary Holmes of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command said: ‘The death of any child is tragic and we would appeal for anyone with information to please come forward as soon as possible to help with our enquiries.’

Baker and Wiltshire, both of (16A) Morris Avenue, Manor Park, east London, are due back in court for a plea and case management hearing on 13 January.
ENDS