A HEREFORDSHIRE man accused of killing a baby will face trial next year.

Jack Wheeler, 30, from Ledbury, and Melissa Wilband, 27, from Newent in Gloucestershire, have both been accused of killing four-month-old baby Lexi Wilband in 2020.

Hereford Times: Melissa WilbandMelissa Wilband (Image: SWNS)

During a hearing at Bristol Crown Court this week, a trial was set for March 3, 2025. Their next court appearance will be for trial preparation on January 30, 2025.

Wheeler and Wilband entered not guilty pleas to a charge of manslaughter when they appeared in court in Bristol on February 19.

Baby Lexi, Wilband's daughter, died in 2020 after being admitted to hospital on April 12.

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Wheeler, of Coachman's Court in Ledbury, and Wilband are accused of unlawfully killing or allowing the death of Lexi contrary to common law.

They first appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on January 12.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said: "Gloucestershire Police's major crime investigation team led on the investigation and the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges."