Dad ‘killed son, 2, who suffered head injuries when he was just six weeks old’

A DAD has appeared in court accused of killing his two-year-old son. 

Matthew Banks, 33, will stand trial charged killing his little boy Leo at the family home.

Banks appeared at Worthing Magistrates Court

The youngster was admitted to hospital with head injuries when he was six weeks old, Worthing Magistrates Court heard.  

Police said the two-year-old had been receiving specialist in-patient and out-patient treatment for and died in February 2020. 

Banks, of Chichester, West Sussex, is said to have killed Leo at their family home. 

He was remanded on unconditional bail to appear before Portsmouth Crown Court later this year. 

Leo suffered injuries at six weeks old in December 2017 and died in February 2020. 

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “A father from Chichester has appeared in court to answer a charge of the manslaughter of his son, aged two years.

“Matthew Banks, aged 33 years, appeared at Worthing Magistrates’ Court today (Tues) charged with the manslaughter of his son Leo, at the family address.

“Banks did not enter a plea and the case was sent for trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, with an initial plea and case preparation hearing on March 11. 

“He is currently on unconditional court bail.

“Leo died in hospital, aged two years, in February 2020, having been receiving specialist in-patient and out-patient treatment for head injuries reported in December 2017 when he was six weeks old.

“The prosecution, authorised by the CPS, follows an investigation by officers from the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit.”