An 11-year-old boy who was found seriously injured in a park in Heanor, Derbyshire, was allegedly murdered by his stepfather.
Judge Nirmal Shant lifted reporting restrictions that previously banned the victim's identification. The victim has been identified as Mikey Harrison. Mikey's stepfather, Michael Harrison, appeared in court on Tuesday charged with murder following an incident in Shipley Country Park in Heanor, Derbyshire, on June 18.
Ambulances responded to Thorpes Road, near Shipley Country Park, in Heanor at around 1:15 p.m. on June 18 as a boy had reportedly suffered major injuries. However, later that day, the victim was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Michael, 41, appeared in court in relation to the alleged murder of Mikey. He was dressed in a grey sweatshirt and spoke only to confirm his name and that he could follow proceedings when he appeared over a video link from HMP Nottingham into Derby Crown Court.
Michael was not required to enter any pleas during a short hearing. He was remanded into custody until his provisional trial date, which was previously scheduled for Jan. 12, 2023. Aside from the murder charge, the defendant also faces one count of engaging in coercive and controlling behavior against a woman between Jan. 1, 2021, and July 1, 2022. Andrew Wesley, his lawyer, asked for his client not to have the charges put to him. The hearing discussed and set dates when the prosecution and defense teams must serve their cases.
In a statement released in early July, Chief Superintendent Hayley Barnett of Derbyshire Constabulary said, "I completely understand that the tragic news of a young boy's death has sparked shock and concern in the local community and that people will speculate about the circumstances surrounding the death." He added, "As is always the case once charges are brought, we are limited in what we can say due to ongoing court proceedings. I would, however, like to offer reassurance to the public, that we are treating this as an isolated incident."
Anyone who was in Thorpes Road or nearby at around the time of the incident has been encouraged to contact the police in case they have any information which could be helpful in the investigation.
