A MOTHER, accused of murdering her two young daughters, has admitted being responsible for their deaths, a court heard today.

Samira Lupidi, 24, appeared before Bradford Crown Court, via a television link from Newhall Prison, where she is being held in custody.

In a voice breaking with emotion, Lupidi replied not guilty when the charges of murdering three year-old Evelyn Lupidi and Jasmine Weaver, aged one, were put to her through an Italian interpreter.

Prosecutor Stephen Wood told the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, the case seemed to turn on medical evidence.

Mr Wood said: "A defence statement has been handed over today, which admits that this defendant is responsible for the killing of each child, but arises as a potential diminished responsibility."

He said there had been a lot of co-operation between the defence and prosecution.

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Lupidi is charged with murdering her children at their home in Mint Street, Undercliffe, Bradford, on November 17 last year.

A post-mortem examination found their deaths were due to multiple stab wounds.

A trial date has been set for May 9.

Judge Thomas adjourned the case until April 13, when full reports from psychiatrists and psychologists will have been assessed.

The judge told Lupidi: "You are being assessed by doctors, and the opinion of those doctors will be very important in terms of how this case moves on."

Judge Thomas added: "You must still be remanded in custody at the prison at Newhall, but it may be, depending on what the doctors are now saying, that you might move to hospital yourself."

Judge Thomas said the defendant should be produced at court for the next hearing, unless medical opinion suggested she should not be.