A MOTHER accused of stabbing to death her two young daughters made her first appearance before a court this morning on a video link from Newhall Prison where she is being held in custody.

Samira Lupidi sat alone at a table in a curtained area for the short hearing, relayed to Bradford Crown Court at 10am.

Lupidi, 24, is charged with murdering Jasmine Weaver, aged one, and three-year-old Evelyn Lupidi, at a property in Mint Street, Undercliffe, Bradford, last Tuesday.

The case was first heard in her absence at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court on Thursday last week when the court heard she was too distraught to make an appearance.

Today, Lupidi, an Italian national, who was living at an address in Mint Street, appeared in front of the court cameras wearing a light-coloured top and with her long, dark hair in a single neat plait on her shoulder.

She answered 'yes' when asked to identify herself and she was given a camera overview of Court 6 that included the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, Philip Adams for the Crown and Kate Batty, defence barrister.

Judge Thomas said: "The principal issue for the defence is the defendant's state of mind."

Both the defence team and prosecution lawyers will obtain psychiatric reports on Lupidi before she next appears before the court for a case management hearing on February 15.

A five day trial was fixed to begin on May 9 next year.

Mrs Batty said Lupidi would need the assistance of an Italian interpreter for future court hearings.

There was no application for bail.

Judge Thomas told Lupidi: "You are in custody and that is where you must remain."

Post-mortem examinations carried out last week established the cause of both children's deaths as multiple stab wounds.