A COUPLE are due to appear before magistrates tomorrow charged with killing their baby son.

Maria Kompusova, 21, and Joseph Skripka, 23, both of Lucas Avenue, Plaistow, appear in custody at City of Westminster Magistrates Court accused of killing or allowing the death of their son Joseph Kompus. They were charged today.

Joseph was born on June 20 last year, but by September 24 he was dead.

That night, an ambulance was called to an address in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, and the infant was taken to Whipps Cross University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

A post mortem was held at Great Ormond Street Hospital two days later. The cause of death was initially undetermined but later found to be head injuries.