A Bradford mum accused of the murder of her 18-month-old son will not enter a plea to the charge until next year, a court has heard.

Gemma Procter, 23, was due to appear before Bradford Crown Court today but the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, said she was unable to attend the hearing.

Her toddler, Elliott Procter, died after falling from a sixth-floor window at a block of flats in Bradford on October 21.

Prosecutor Kama Melly QC asked for a further directions hearing to take place on January 8, by which time she said the crown would have considered all the evidence it needed to serve in the case.

A plea and trial preparation hearing was arranged for March 6 after the court was told that medical reports relating to Procter were due to be completed by then.

Ms Melly said that she expected Procter to enter a plea on that date, allowing a provisional proposed trial date of April 16 to be kept.

Geraldine Kelly, defending, said that Simon Kealey QC would be representing the defendant at the next hearing in January.

Judge Durham Hall told all parties in the case: “I have to manage the trial process.

“Decisions will be made on March 6 won’t they, it is a crunch time.

“All parties are taking a very sensible approach to this case, I could not possibly do anything meaningful today.”

Judge Durham Hall said that the April 16 date, which was put back by a week so as not to coincide with what would have been Elliot’s second birthday, would stay in the list should a trial need to take place.

He added that either he or a High Court Judge would conduct proceedings should they reach trial stage.

The case was adjourned until January 8, when the court was told that full prosecution and defence teams would be in attendance.

Procter, of Newcastle House, Barkerend, Bradford, is currently in custody following her previous Crown Court appearance on October 25.

The incident which led to her son’s death was reported to police at about 5.10pm on Saturday, October 21.

Attempts were made to save the toddler who, witnesses said, was naked as he fell on to the cobbled area below.

Despite the efforts of people at the flats, police said it was quickly apparent that the young boy had passed away.

During her first court appearance, at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court on October 23, Procter’s solicitor, Sajad Chaudhury, told a district judge that she denied the charge of murder and appealed for anyone who had witnessed the incident to come forward to police.